You can see the Wrekin from the ground at Moddershall-Oulton but the only summit Cheadle were interested in was the NSSCCL one as the first team gained a fourth win of the season on Saturday. It looked like being a very different tale for most of the afternoon though as it was the opposition who were favourites to take the spoils.
Batting before tea for the first time this season, the Cheadle innings stuttered along for most of the afternoon, and they were in serious danger of not making three figures at 83 for 8. Matthew Sellers (28) and Jack Hassall (15) patiently added 45 for the ninth wicket and made sure that there was something to bowl at after tea as they were eventually dismissed for 133. Dan Colclough and Tom Spruce took 3 wickets each for the home team.
Moddershall’s reply was initially serene as they added 44 for the first wicket but Cheadle then wrestled themselves back into the match and when Sam Kelsall was out to Ozzy Crump for 47, things were back in the balance at 85 for 4. In the end Moddershall lost their last 6 wickets for only 24 runs as first the Cheadle’s spinners Crump, Hassell (1 for 19), and Will Dobbie (3 for 27) applied the pressure before skipper Matt Goodwin (2 for 33) took aim at the tail. Crump sealed a 7 run victory finishing with 3 for 29 as the 1st XI’s fine start to the season continues.
The second team fell to a first defeat of the summer in the local derby at home to Checkley. The visitors vastly experienced attack proved too wily for Cheadle as they were bundled out for 90 at Tean Road. Former Staffs seamer Rich Cooper produced an incredible spell of 3 for 3 from his 8 overs. In reply, at 33 for 4 Cheadle had a small chance at redemption but in the end Checkley won by 5 wickets.
The 3rd XI’s great run of form continued in another derby game against Oakamoor. The opposition managed 107 in their innings with wickets shared around once again by the Cheadle bowlers, Sam Akram and Joe Degg taking 3 each. Matt Degg (73 not out) and Akram (24 not out) added 83 and ensured a comfortable 9 wicket win.