Cheadle have Andy Coxon’s grit and determination plus another magnificent all round bowling performance to thank for a sixth Talbot Cup triumph for the club on Sunday. They made sure that the trophy will stay at Tean Road for another twelve months as they retained the NSSCCL league's premier cup competition at Burslem.
Winning the toss and batting first Cheadle got off to a steady start but after Ali Khan’s dismissal for 16 found themselves in a bit of trouble at 50 for 3. Coxon and Dale Heath (25) then produced the best partnership of the innings, adding 62 for the 4th wicket, but after Heath’s dismissal, there was a mini-collapse as Burslem’s Sam Waterhouse picked up 4 for 22 to leave the Bassetts at a precarious 134 for 8. Coxon was the man who held firm and with help from Will Dobbie and Jack Winfield allowed Cheadle to finish on 164 at the end of their innings.
Coxon carried his bat for a magnificent 80 not out off 117 balls holding the innings together with a selection of clever stroke-play and great running between the wickets on the large Burslem ground. He judged the game's situation to perfection.
The visitors knew they need to make early inroads into the Burslem top order if they were to defend their total and it was James Sellers (2-23) and Will Dobbie (1-25) who did the damage as the home team were reduced to 29 for 3. Burslem recovered well with Ashley Shaw and Joshua Rhodes accumulating steadily through the middle overs, but Cheadle were able to keep the run-scoring down and this increased scoreboard pressure was key to the winning of the game.
Austen Crump and Ryan Harvey were the men who seized the opportunity as the home side went from 95 for 3 to 118 for 9 in a few manic overs. Crump (3-21) took 2 wickets in 2 balls including Shaw for 52 then Harvey (3-26) picked up 2 in an over himself to get Cheadle within touching distance of the win. Buslem added 21 for the last wicket before skipper Matt Goodwin took the final wicket to win the match and send the large Cheadle support back to the Moorlands happy.