Alderley Edge Dent Hyde's Title Hopes

Cheshire County Premier League: Hyde 207ao / Alderley Edge 208-4

Hyde’s title hopes suffered a huge setback after they went down to a six-wicket defeat as Alderley Edge on Saturday. 

After winning the toss Edge skipper Charlie Reid asked Hyde to bat first and it was a decision that paid off immediately as they dismissed half of the Hyde batsmen with just 38 runs on the board. including last week's centurion Noah Vickery, who was run out for just eight.

Things got worse when Andrew Jackson was dismissed for six and the visitors were in all sorts of bother at 52-6.

With the home side rampant it seemed there was little hope of Hyde posting anything remotely challenging, but youngster Keshana Fonseka showed why he’s so highly rated with a brilliant innings. 

He and Danny Cranmer added 46 for the seventh wicket and in a strange way Hyde appeared to be wrestling some of the initiative. The loss of Cranmer for 25 could have signalled another collapse but the Hyde tail managed to offer some support to Fonseka as they first they passed a hundred and then 150. 

Ben Balderson scored 19 and Jason Ebbrell hit 33 as the league leaders posted 207 all out.

Fonseka finished on 79 not out, whilst Richard Wilkinson claimed 4-63 for Alderley Edge.  

If Hyde were to pull off a surprise victory, they needed early wickets and they got the start they wanted as the home side were two down in just the eighth over.

At 21-2 there was t a glimmer of hope for the Werneth Low side but Lancashire batsman George Bell (29) added 66 with Perry for the third wicket and effectively took the game away from Hyde.

Sam Perry is a batsman who scores runs almost at will and he produced a magnificent match winning innings of 123 that moved his side up to second in the table.

Luke Young clean bowled Bell, but Wilkinson smashed 34 as the hosts reached their victory target with 15 overs left.

This result means there are just 23 points separating the top four teams and with 25 points for a win there’s all to play for as we reach the business end of the season. 

This weekend Hyde face a tricky trip to Chester on Saturday.