Hyde Hammer Neston To Retain Top Spot

It took Hyde less than four hours to wrap up victory against Neston on Saturday and maintain their lead at the top of the Cheshire County League.

Once again it was a fine all-round performance but the return of Ben Balderson, after injury, will have pleased skipper Danny Cranmer even more, as his side were ruthless with both bat and ball.

After winning the toss Neston chose to bat first and despite losing Jamie Wilson with just 10 runs on the board, they were reasonably well placed at 40-1 with both Luke Camden and David Hurst looking well set. 

Luke Young then got his second wicket of the afternoon, removing Hurst for 21, but with Camden still at the crease anything was possible, however when he fell to Balderson for 26 it started a mini-collapse that saw the visitors slump from 68-2 to 72-5. 

Rowan Shelton and Chris Hackett showed some resistance and began to re-build, but when Shelton went for 24 Neston were six down for 126. 

His departure led to another flurry of wickets and in just a few overs Neston were all out for 132. Cranmer 3-29 and Balderson 3-41 the pick of the bowlers. 

Chasing a small total can bring its problems but Young and Tom Partridge showed no mercy as they chased down the target in double quick time. 

Both reached their half-centuries, Partridge’s third in three weeks, and it looked as though Hyde would record a ten-wicket victory until Young went for 56 with just seven needed. 

Charlie Barnard joined Partridge and scored the runs to secure victory. Next up for Hyde is a trip to Bowdon. 

Score: Hyde 134-1 Neston 132 ao