Hyde End Season In Second Spot

Cheshire County League 1st XI Premier Division: Hyde 364ao  Bowdon 247ao

Hyde brought the curtain down on an excellent season with a resounding 117 victory over Bowdon at their Werneth Low ground on Saturday. 

The result meant that Hyde secured second spot, whilst the defeat condemned Bowdon to relegation.
After winning the toss the visitors chose to bowl first, knowing only a win would give them a realistic chance of staying up. 

However, any hopes they had were pretty much extinguished from the moment openers Tom Partridge and Luke Young set about their attack. 

The pair, who have been a pivotal part of Hyde's title challenge this season, were once again in dominant form as they brought up the 50 partnership in just the ninth over. 

When Partridge went for 41, Hyde were 84-1 with less than 17 overs on the board. 

Despite losing his opening partner Young continued to impose himself and he reached his 50 from 53 balls. 

Charlie Barnard made 17 and when he was the second man to go Hyde were well placed at 130-2 with more than 30 overs left. 

Keshana Fonseka, fresh from his debut for the Lancashire Second XI, came in and showed why he's so highly rated with a brilliant innings. 

He and Young were ruthless as they moved the total beyond 200. 

Just as it seemed Young would register his third Hyde century of the season, he was caught by Joe Chappell for 91. 

Fonseka went on to make a superb 83 and with Hyde enjoying themselves against a dispirited attack they closed their innings on a massive 364 all out. 

For Bowdon it was all about playing for pride and they showed some battling qualities as they reached 94-1 with Ross Zelem (22) the only man to go, when the score was on 54. 

But from a strong position they lost a flurry of wickets and were soon in deep trouble at 131-8. 

Thomas Graham provided some fight as he smashed seven fours and nine sixes in a magnificent 92 made from just 57 balls. 

It was to prove too little, too late for the visitors and it was somewhat fitting that Hyde skipper Danny Cranmer should take the final wicket of the campaign after leading his side so excellently in his first season as captain. 

Andrew Jackson claimed 5-58 and Charlie Barnard 4-68 as Hyde finished off the season in style.