Match Preview

This Saturday the first team begin their season with a friendly against Elworth from the North Staffordshire and South Cheshire Premier League. The last time we played Elworth was in a closely fought low scoring National Knock-Out game in 2014, on that day it was Bobby Evans who saw the side to victory with 3 wickets and an unbeaten 20.

After an intense winter programme overseen by Will Owen and Lee Dixon, this fixture as well as next week’s game against Northern give us the luxury of being able to get some valuable time out in the field before the first league game against Neston. In terms of the team, the only absentees due to work and family commitments are Warren Goodwin and Oliver Law who returns for the fixture next week. We welcome back Cheshire spinners Harry Killoran into the matchday squad following his long layoff last season with injury and Jack Williams who returns to the country after a successful spell in Tasmania over the winter.

As Saturday will be a twelve man game (only 11 to bat) it gives opportunities to Matthew Griffiths, Sam Mallows and Charlie Fleet to get a run out, the latter of which has been involved in the Cheshire Youth Cricket emerging players programme throughout the winter.

The game is scheduled for a midday start, 45 overs per side adopting the rules in the Cheshire Cup with tea to be taken after the game. The weather is set fair and the ground looks a picture thanks to the team lead by Alex Kegg. It promises to be an exciting curtain raiser for the season ahead