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2001 Match Reports
Saturday 14 September 2001 - A Vs Wirral Mersey Park
Match report will appear here. (note - it never did)
Around the league
Burnage Abn 5 v Barnton 5
Disley Abn 5 v S'bridge St Pauls 5
Sandbach 162 for 5 Dec 20 v CH Ladybridge 117 All Out 3
Trinity Abn 5 v Ashley 5
Wirral Mersey Park 108 for 4 20 v Port Sunlight 107 All Out 2
Woodford Abn 5 v Wilmslow 5
Saturday 15 September - H Vs Sandbach
WOODS YOU BELIEVE IT?
Veteran all rounder Brendan Woods turned in a match winning dispay on Saturday to leave league leaders Sandbach biting their nails going into the last round of fixtures next weekend.
Batting first on a damp wicket, a Port batting line-up weakened by back injuries, work commitments, engagement parties and inaccurate knife juggling attempts struggled until Woods (47) and keeper Billy Kearney (34) came together and ensured that Sunners had something to bowl at. The innings closed on 115 with plucky Tim Lomas left high and dry on 0 not out (although Cheshire McAllister had earlier opened his run account for the season with a pugnacious 4).
The Sandbach reply was never allowed to gain momentum as tight bowling and lively fielding restricted the league leaders. Lawrence took 4 wickets in a hostile yet controlled spell but the star of the show once again was Woods, taking 5 for 29 in a spell which clinched victory as the visitors were dismissed for 102. Rookie Ryan Kearney, who has played every league match for Sunners this season, took the final two catches off Woods' bowling.
The victory sets up a winner takes all final day of season promotion clash between Sandbach and Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge. Port, whose own promtion dreams ended weeks ago, go into their final game of the season knowing that a victory at local rivals Wirral Mersey Park on Saturday
should clinch a place in the top half of the table.
Around the League
Barnton 162 for 6 Dec 13 v Woodford 94 for 8 3
CH Ladybridge 131 for 8 Dec 10 v Disley 110 for 6 5
Port Sunlight 115 All Out 21 v Sandbach 102 All Out 5
S'bridge St Pauls 48 for 6 20 v Burnage 47 All Out 3
Wilmslow 104 All Out 20 v Ashley 87 All Out 5
Wirral Mersey Park 71 for 2 20 v Trinity 70 All Out 1
Saturday September 1 - A Vs Trinity
OWEN HAT-TRICK SINKS GERMANY
On a momentous day for English football, it was not such a memorable day for Port Sunlight cricket club. Visiting Meller Braggins Division 3 bottom side Trinity, a patched up Port team failed to assert any authority throughout the encounter which ended in a bore draw.
In a match reduced to 43 overs a side after only 3 Port players found the ground on time, the home side, with the help of some poor fielding, cruised (and later on swiped and cross batted) their way to 190-9.
A Sunlight batting line up weakened by the loss of several key players was exposed still further early on, reduced to 42-4 after 19 overs. Martell (51 not out) and Mark Jones (27) put a few runs on the board and ensured an embarrasing defeat was avoided. Sadly, bar 7 points, nothing more was taken from this match as the visitors finished on 145-6.
Team - Martell, Byrne, Favill, Hill, Jones, R Kearney, W Kearney, Lomas, McAllister, Woods, Wilkinson
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Ashley 177 for 8 7 v Barnton 226 for 5 Dec 14
Burnage 210 for 7 Dec 14 v CH Ladybridge 202 for 9 8
Disley 88 All Out 1 v Sandbach 91 for 2 20
Trinity 190 for 9 Dec 13 v Port Sunlight 145 for 6 7
Wilmslow 104 for 3 20 v Wirral Mersey Park 98 All Out 1
Woodford 78 All Out 5 v S'bridge St Pauls 103 All Out 20
Saturday August 25 - H Vs Disley
SUNNERS WORTH A BET AS WILLIAMS-HILLSECURE A DISLEY DOUBLE
Hovis Williams and Chimp Hill were the stars as Sunlight secured there first home victory in nearly 3 months on Saturday at Leverhulme.
Opting to bowl first on a strip full of moisture, Port had lacklustre Disley in early trouble with rookie Jimmy Roberts (1-21) and come back kid Hovis Williams (4-20) taking early wickets. Chimp Hill also continued a good run of form with the ball taking 4 wickets for 6 to bring the visitors innings to a premature conclusion with only 74 runs on the board.
Sunlight’s reply was a charitable effort however giving chances to struggling Disley at every opportunity. After Woods had made a dogged 26 wickets tumbled and it was left to Williams (9 not out) and Billy Kearney (2 not out) to see Port home to a 3 wicket success.
All rounder Brendan Woods was cautiously optimistic after the match “I’m still worried about our batting but one big plus today was the catching – 9 out of 9 chances stuck and with that sort of ratio, you’re never going to be chasing much”.
Team – Martell (c), Gulliver, Hill, Jones, R Kearney, W Kearney, Kemp, Lawrence, Roberts, Williams, Woods
Around the League
Barnton 138 for 9 5 v Wirral Mersey Park 187 for 6 Dec 14
CH Ladybridge 130 for 4 22 v Woodford 129 All Out 4
Port Sunlight 75 for 7 20 v Disley 74 All Out 3
Sandbach 172 for 8 Dec 25 v Burnage 89 All Out 4
S'bridge St Pauls 98 All Out 5 v Ashley 136 All Out 22
Trinity 54 All Out 0 v Wilmslow 59 for 0 20
Saturday August 18 – A Vs Wilmslow
CAVALIER PORT RACE TO DRAW
Sunlight managed to secure a draw during an intriguing day at Wilmslow thanks eventually to stand in Spencer Whiting and veteran Jimmy McAllister.
Winning the toss and fielding Sunners reduced the home side 145 all out in 44.1 overs. Matty Hill finished with career best league figures of 14 overs, 5 for 47 and Cheshire McAllister 3 for 20. The catching was also much improved, 8 of 9 chances being held.
The reply was disappointing however, only Tighe (27), who had also kept wicket well, putting together a good innings early on. When rain robbed the visitors of 9 overs a draw became the best result they could hope for. The extravagant strokes continued regardless with the whole of the middle and lower middle order falling to loose shots – amongst the mayhem Lawrence made a swashbuckling 34, Hill a lavish 21. It was left to debutant Whiting (8 not out) and McAllister (0 not out) to do the job, holding out for a draw in the pouring rain as the innings closed on 117 for 9.
McAllister’s eventful day did not end there however as he discovered he had left his car headlights on throughout the game, sapping the battery of any power. On eventually getting the engine running he proceeded to lead the Port convoy the wrong way up the M56 taking it on a tour of various Manchester Airport terminals in his bid to get back on course.
Team – Martell (C), Hill, Gulliver, R Kearney, Lawrence, McAllister, Neary, Tighe, Whiting, Woods, Wright
Around the League
Ashley 80 All Out 3 v CH Ladybridge 83 for 7 20
Barnton 163 for 5 Dec 12 v Trinity 161 for 7 6
Burnage 178 All Out 25 v Disley 99 All Out 5
Wilmslow 145 All Out 7 v Port Sunlight 117 for 9 L 6
Wirral Mersey Park for Abn 5 v S'bridge St Pauls for 5
Woodford 138 for 9 Dec 4 v Sandbach 139 for 5 21
Saturday 11 August - H Vs Burnage
DROPS END UNBEATEN RUN
On a bleak and wet day at Leverhulme Port’s three match unbeaten run was brought to an abrupt end by Manchester side Burnage. Enjoying a rare chance to bat on something resembling a cricket pitch, the visitors were given numerous extra chances through some charitable Sunners fielding. Ten chances were eventually put down in 41 overs as Burnage amassed 180-9 before declaring. Hill (3-20) and Woods (2-31) were the pick of the Port bowlers although all could consider themselves unlucky victims of Sunlight’s worst fielding display of the campaign.
YOU'RE JOKING BRUCE!?!
The reply started well, but although the required run rate never climbed, the wickets column did as a steady procession of useful contributions were cut short by loose strokes. There was also plenty of painfully good catching considering what had gone before and some equally painful umpiring (considering Sunlight players were also carrying out these duties).
Tighe (32) and Lawrence (19) along with the undefeated Brendan Woods (41*) did most for Port’s cause but it was eventually all in vain as the home side lost their final wicket with 8 balls remaining 10 runs short of the target.
Team – Martell(c), Byrne, Crosby, Gulliver, Hill, R Kearney, Lawrence, Neary, Tighe, Woods, Wright
Around the league (Sat 11 Aug)
CH Ladybridge 168 All Out 9 v Wirral Mersey Park 176 All Out 25
Disley 109 All Out 5 v Woodford 121 All Out 21
Port Sunlight 170 All Out 9 v Burnage 180 for 9 Dec 25
Sandbach 128 All Out 6 v Ashley 129 for 8 22
S'bridge St Pauls Abn 5 v Trinity 5
Wilmslow 186 for 4 Dec 25 v Barnton 97 All Out 2
Saturday August 4 - A Vs Barnton
STORM SCUPPERS SUNLIGHT
Port were denied the chance of defending a formidable total at Barnton on Saturday by a heavy rain storm which started during the tea interval and, a bit like Port's patchy form this season, just wouldn't go away.
WRIGHT ON CUE
Things looked bright at half time for Sunlight after they had recovered from 107 for 5 to reach 177 for 5. Returning Aussie Warwick Wright (51 not out) and Ryan Kearney (17 not out) were the men responsible for the recovery. Earlier Gulliver, Woods and Byrne had all made useful contributions.
Sadly the rain intervened and Port had to settle for 5pts. Elsewhere in the league the story was much the same with only one match completed, Ashley beating lowly Disley.
Team - Gulliver(c), Byrne, Hill, Jones, R Kearney, W Kearney, Kemp, Lawrence, Naylor, Woods, Wright
Saturday July 28 - H Vs Woodford
Batting Woe Dents Port Progress
Port bowled well to restrict Woodford to 133 for 9, Adam Croby the pick of the bowlers. Sadly the batting faltered early on and it was left to rookie Zinger Kearney and skippers Dad Dorek Martell to guide Sunners to a valuable draw with 2 wickets to spare.
Team - R Martell (C), Byrne, Crosby, Gulliver, Hill, Jones, R Kearney, W Kearney, D Martell, McAllister, Tighe.
Saturday July 21, League - A Vs Stalybridge St Pauls
BYRNE FIRE STUNS STALYBRIDGE BUT IT'S 3 IN A ROW FOR ZINGER
A four match losing streak was brought to a timely end on Saturday as Danny Gulliver, in the absence of club captain Rob Martell, masterminded a vital victory in East Manchester.
Inserted on a tricky surface key batters Danny G and Mark Tighe were soon back in the pavilion. Returning former star captain and in-form bat Mark Jones kick started the visitors with a some nice shots before Byrne hit a cavalier and extremely popular maiden first team 50. Adam Crosby was amongst others to chip in with useful knocks as Sunners were eventually dismissed for 137. Rookie Ryan Kearney however continued a miserable run of form with the bat claiming a 3rd straight golden duck!
A reply reduced by the weather to 40 overs was a constant threat to Port's total but some fine bowling from Cheshire McAllister and Lawrence (4 wickets each) and Matty Hill kept the match on a knife edge. The "best fielding of the season" possibly proved to be the eventual difference in a match of very fine margins as Sunlight dismissed Stalybridge for 125 to claim a 12 run victory with 3 overs to spare.
Acting skipper Danny Gulliver was in buoyant mood following the triumph "This victory has given me great pleasure and could prove to a crucial event in our season". Absent skipper Rob Martell, speaking from his Newcastle hotel room was equally happy "well in lads - I'll be away again in a fortnight so if nothing else win again then."
Team - Gulliver (c), Byrne, Crosby, Hardy, Hill, Jones, R Kearney, W Kearney, Lawrence, McAllister, Tighe
Saturday July 14, League - H Vs Ashley
Sunlight Soap Opera Right Up Ashley’s Street
Port slumped to a fourth straight reverse on Saturday at home to an Ashley side including Coronation Street Actor Charles Dale. (I am told that his character in the show I am managing to avoid in the blouses absence is Dennis. He dropped me though so good on him. (RM))
Batting first the hosts posted a useful looking 176 for 2, Gulliver 75 not out and Woods 51 not out doing the bulk of the work. Ashley were reduced to 45 for 3 at one stage but a fourth wicket stand of 130 put paid to Sunners’ victory hopes. Adam Crosby (4-47) and Matty Hill (0-31) were the only bowlers able to contain the Ashley batsmen as the Manchester side ran out winners by 5 wickets with a couple of overs to spare.
Team - Martell(C), Byrne, Crosby, Gulliver, Hill, R Kearney, W Kearney, Lawrence, McAllister, Tighe, Woods
Saturday 7 July, A Vs Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge
Too dark a day to talk about - it was grim! 1 point.....sorry, can't muster an ounce of enthusiasm/'humour' when thinking about the game.
Team - Martell (C), Byrne, Crosby, Gulliver, Hill, R Kearney, W Kearney, Kemp, Lawrence, McAllister, Woods
Saturday 3 June '01 - H vs Wirral MP
WIRRAL ‘MISERY’ PARK CURSE STRIKES AGAIN
Port stumbled to a second consecutive defeat to promotion rivals as they succumbed by 4 wickets at home to Wirral Mersey Park. Sunners have now lost all four meetings with their local rivals since switching to the Meller Braggins League.
Inserted on a track which regularly popped early on Sunlight struggled to dominate with the bat, eventually dismissed in the 45th over of their innings for 139. Although wickets fell steadily during the Wirral reply the required run rate was always maintained. Despite 2 wickets for Hill and Neary and a tight opening spell from Woods the visitors eventually passed Sunner’s total with 6 overs and 4 wickets to spare..
Brendan Woods laid down the law to his team mates after the game “halfway through the season and halfway up the table there is only one thing for it – we need to bounce back quickly. 7 wins in the last 11 games is what I think we’ll need so let’s do it!!!”
Team – Martell (c), Crosby, Hill, Gulliver, R Kearney, W Kearney, Lawrence, Naylor, Neary, Tighe, Woods
Ashley 185 for 7 Dec 14 v Trinity 140 for 9 6
Barnton 172 All Out 9 v Burnage 182 for 9 Dec 25
CH Ladybridge 138 All Out 12 v Sandbach 138 All Out 12
Port Sunlight 139 All Out 5 v Wirral Mersey Park 141 for 6 23
S'bridge St Pauls 130 for 4 21 v Disley 129 for 8 Dec 4
Wilmslow 36 for 2 20 v Woodford 32 All Out 1
Saturday 23 June - A Vs Sandbach
PORT SUNK AT SANDBACH
A makeshift Sunlight line up came a cropper at league leaders Sandbach on Saturday putting a question mark over the sides ability to clinch promotion this season.
Things started so well for the visitors after captain Rob Martell won the toss and elected to bowl first. The hosts were reduced to 80 for 6, Brendan Woods taking 4-38 in an energy sapping 16 over spell. A bullish retort however from the Sandbach lower order saw them close the innings on 162 for 9.
Port’s batting order, already decimated by unavailability, sprung numerous fatal leaks early on and at 25-5 an already near certain defeat was threatening to turn into a humiliation. Youngster Ryan Kearney (27) and Chris ‘Eastham Express’ Lawrence (23) staved off the latter threat, and helped by Adam Crosby (13) looked at one stage as if they may hold on for the draw. Unfortunately it was not to be, plucky debut boy Ian Riggs eventually becoming Sanbach’s 10th and final scalp with Port still 4 overs away from safety.
Martell was disappointed to lose such an important match so comprehensively but laid no blame on his team mates. “I can’t fault the effort the team put in today. Zinger and Eastham batted really well and the youngsters who came into the side today gave 100%. We were missing a lot of players and it was always going to be tough but that’s the nature of the game, we will be without key players from time to time. Unfortunately with the selection problems there still appear to be between the teams at this the club we face other days like today.”
Team - Martell (c), Barnes, Crosby, Gulliver, R Kearney, W Kearney, Lawrence, McAllister, Naylor, Riggs, Woods
Around the League - week 10 results
Ashley 180 for 7 23 v Wilmslow 176 for 6 Dec 8
Burnage 135 for 8 7 v S'bridge St Pauls 157 All Out 13
Disley 156 All Out 6 v CH Ladybridge 157 for 5 24
Sandbach 162 for 9 Dec 24 v Port Sunlight 90 All Out 4
Trinity 144 for 9 Dec 3 v Wirral Mersey Park 145 for 0 22
Woodford 97 All Out 3 v Barnton 101 for 6 20
Saturday 16 June - H Vs Trinity
EASTHAM EXPRESS SPICY MEAL TOO HOT FOR TRINITY
Sunlight cemented their third spot in the Meller Braggins Division 3 on Saturday with a 9 wicket demolition of Trinity at Leverhulme.
In his second league appearance of the season, Chris Lawrence aka The Eastham Express ripped through the visitors top order, eventually finishing with 4 wickets for 34 runs. The Bramhall based outfit stumbled to 76 all out in under 30 overs, with fast evolving spinner and ex-con Chimp Hill also chipping in with 3 for 4.
A successful Port reply was never in doubt, the loss of Mark Tighe (caught off his boot by a fielder aptly named Cheetham!) with the score on 18 being the only hiccup. Opener Danny Gulliver finished undefeated on 43 and skipper Rob Martell was not out on a score of 23 which included two hooked sixes off his Trinity counterparts bowling.
Twenty points were Sunlight’s reward but it was not enough to climb the table as Sandbach picked up a maximum 25 points and Cheadle Hulme 23. Rookie Ryan Kearney was happy with the outcome of the day however “we failed to beat Trinity in two completed matches last term so it’s nice to scoop the victory today. They have dangerous top order batting as we found out twice last year so shooting them out so far below one hundred is a great effort. Sutcliffe (Chris Lawrence) and Chimpy (Matty Hill) deserve a lot of credit for their efforts today but with me, Cheshire (Jimmy McAllister) and Goughy (Ian Byrne) eager for bowling they will have to keep the standards up.”
Next week Sunlight travel to table topping Sandbach for what has now become a huge fixture for both camps. Vice Captain Danny Gulliver is already focussing on the forthcoming clash “I’m so excited, and I just can’t hide it, I’m about to lose control but I think I like it”.
Team – Martell (C), Byrne, Gulliver, Hill, R Kearney, W Kearney, Lawrence, McAllister, Neary, Tighe, Woods
Around the League
Barnton 120 for 9 Dec 5 v Ashley 78 for 8 L 4
CH Ladybridge 160 for 5 23 v Burnage 159 for 9 Dec 6
Port Sunlight 79 for 1 20 v Trinity 76 All Out 0
Sandbach 200 for 7 Dec 25 v Disley 109 All Out 3
S'bridge St Pauls 170 for 8 Dec 14 v Woodford 162 for 9 8
Wirral Mersey Park 91 for 8 20 v Wilmslow 87 All Out 4
Saturday 9 June, A Vs Disley (L)
SUNLIGHT WIN IN THE CLOUDS TO END AWAY DAY BLUES
Port re-discovered the winning touch at the high altitude Disley ground on Saturday with a comprehensive 7 wicket victory, their first triumph on the road this term.
Bowling first on a drying wicket returning speedster Chris Lawrence (3-31), in tandem with all rounder Bruce Neary (2-27), reduced the hosts to 40-4 after 20 overs. Veteran Brendan Woods (4-18 (pictured above, left)) and find of the season Matty Hill (1-5) followed up the positive start and with the help of some good catching dismissed Disley for 84 in under 40 overs.
Sunners’ response was positive and a first wicket partnership of 62 between Mark Tighe (49) and Danny Gulliver (21) ensured that the result was never in doubt. Port eventually got home for the loss of 3 wickets securing a 20 point victory which puts them in 3rd spot, just 4 points off the lead in the Meller Braggins League Division 3.
Chunky batter and spin bowler Ian Byrne was complimentary of his team mates’ efforts “good team performance, bowling and fielding impressive, Matty Hill did well, I like the cut of his jib, reminds me of a young Eddie Hemmings (but smaller and more covered in hair)”.
Star all rounder Brendan Woods endorsed Byrne's comments "Matty IS small and DOES have a heavy covering of hair"
Hill hit back in typically impish style "I don't care what a lard arse and someones grandad who look like Darren Gough and Martina Navratilova respectively have got to say about me - I let my cricket do the talking. Wickets, maidens and runs pay the rent and I get enough to cover my weekly outgoings. The odd catch I take also enables me to buy small items of furniture or go out for a few drinks"
Team - Martell(c), Byrne, Crosby, Gulliver, Hill, R Kearney, W Kearney, Lawrence, Neary, Tighe, Woods
Around the League
9th June
Ashley 111 for 4 (20) v S'bridge St Pauls 110 for 9 Dec (3)
Burnage 73 All Out (2) v Sandbach 74 for 4 (20)
Disley 84 All Out (1) v Port Sunlight 85 for 3 (20)
Wilmslow 177 for 4 Dec (14) v Trinity 103 for 9 (2)
Wirral Mersey Park (79) All Out 3 v Barnton 80 for 6 (20)
Woodford 111 for 9 (6) v CH Ladybridge 201 All Out (14)
League, H vs Wilmslow (2 June '01)
Wilmslow Snatch Draw as Sunlight Fade
Port disappointed their home support on Saturday by failing to reach the 161 target set for them by a plucky Wilmslow outfit.
Bowling first, two early wickets including a first ball run out by South African import Graham Kemp, put the visitors on the back foot. A middle order fight back put Wilmslow back in the driving seat before Matty Hill (3-28) and Mike Barnes (3-43) tightened things up for the Portsiders. The innings eventually closed on 160-8 after 45 overs.
Danny Gulliver (29) and Bruce Neary (39) got Sunlight off to a dream start. Sadly a lull in run scoring during the last 20 overs of the innings saw the hosts finish a frustrating 10 runs short of picking up a much needed victory on 151-7.
Skipper Rob Martell was unavailable for comment following the match, choosing instead to head off for a relaxing game of Ten-Pin-Bowling away from the public eye prior to Sunday’s Cheshire Shield clash with Bowdon Vale. Wicketkeeper Billy Kearney, who pulled off a key stumping during the Wilmslow innings, tried to remain upbeat “we should have won that from the position we got ourselves into 20 overs before the end but you can’t turn back the clock. It’s not all doom and gloom though – not many points have been picked up around the league today so it’s got to be a case of licking our wounds and re-grouping for tomorrow’s cup match and next Saturdays league trip to Disley.”
Only Sandbach picked up a win in the whole Meller Braggins League Division 3 programme. The matches at Cheadle Hulme, Stalybridge and Trinity were all abandoned during the second innings whilst Disley could only equal the Burnage score in their North East Cheshire clash.
Team - Martell (c), Barnes, Favill, Hill, Gulliver, Kemp, R Kearney, W Kearny, Neary, Tighe, Woods
Cheshire Shield, H vs Bowdon Vale (3 June '01)
Port KO’d by Vale
Any hopes of cup success this season left Port Sunlight on the M53 with Bowdon Vale on Sunday evening after a gruelling Cheshire Shield encounter at Leverhulme.
Batting first Sunlight posted a useful 177-6 in their 40 overs with Danny Gulliver and Brendan Woods (pictured above, left) each making 45. Sadly, after a back injury had robbed the attack of opening bowler Bruce Neary’s services, a handful of half chances were grassed as the Vale top order, even in the face of returning speedster Chris Lawrence, took control. Brendan Woods (8 overs, 1 wkt, 20 runs) and Ryan Kearney (8 overs for 20 runs) gave the home side a glimmer of hope but the total was eventually passed with 9 balls and 6 wickets to spare.
The match was Teddy Favill’s last for the club until September as the bespectacled medic (pictured above, right) sets off on Tuesday for a three month journey of self-exploration in the southern hemisphere. The Port injury curse claimed another victim however and the former club skipper will have a broken finger to remind him of his travel shortened season. “I hope I don’t get attacked by any foreign animals now like a tiger or something, not with this broken finger. Though I may have been in trouble anyway.”
Team - Martell(c), Byrne, Favill, Hill, Gulliver, R Kearney, W Kearney, Lawrence, Naylor, Neary, Woods
Saturday 26 May - A Vs Burnage
Port were unlucky not to win on a tricky trip to Burnage on Saturday, eventually losing by 2 wickets against the Meller Braggins League new boys. Put into bat on a strip even the kindest of onlookers would have described as ‘not fit for cricket’ Sunlight poked their way to a challenging 101-8 in their 45 overs with Mark Tighe (21) top scoring.
The first ball of the home sides response gave an early indication of how close the match would become as Woods (pictured left) dislodged their Australian opener’s leg stump. Woods (4-40) along with youngster Ryan Kearney (2-23) reduced Burnage to 53-6 at one stage. Hill (8 overs, 0 for 11) in his first league bowl of the season kept things tight but eventually, despite two late wickets for injured all rounder Mike Barnes (2-19), the hosts reached the target with 2 wickets to spare.
Captain Rob Martell commented that “the game was on the sharpest of knife edges – it could have gone either way”. The Yorkshireman added “4 points is scant reward for such a plucky performance but you have to take knocks like this on the chin and bounce back 7 days later”. Speaking of knocks on the chin former skipper Teddy Favill (pictured right) was not impressed with the wicket the match took place on “that is the worst strip I have ever seen. If Chris Lawrence (Port Sunlight’s currently unavailable fast bowler) had been playing the match would have been abandoned. Burnage claimed it was a ‘result wicket’ – I just hope they are willing to take responsibility for the injuries that are inevitable on a tracks such as that.”
Team - Martell, Barnes, Clare, Favill, Gulliver, Hill, R Kearney, W Kearney, Naylor, Tighe, Woods
Thursday 24 May - H Vs Christleton (League Cup)
Port bowed out of the League Cup at the hands of Division 1 high flyers Christleton at Leverhulme on Thursday night. Teddy Favill (19) and Brendan Woods (35) helped the home side to a score of 94-4 in their 16 (8 ball!!!) overs. It was always going to be hard to contain the visitors talented batting order and despite a couple of early breakthroughs the total was successfully chased with 7 wickets and 11 balls to spare.
Captain Rob Martell felt his experimental side were “20 runs short of putting Christleton under pressure” but “showed promise against top league opposition”. “I know it’s a cliché but now we can concentrate on the league (and the Cheshire Shield)”. Matty Hill, who put in an eye catching performance with bat and ball, added some positive words to those of his skipper – “we’re hungry for success here and I want a large portion of the action”.
To add to Sunlight’s woe, Mike ‘Digger’ Barnes was forced to leave the action early with a thigh injury (replaced by Shammah Nicholls team star Paul Fowler in the field). Former model Mike is expected to limp through Saturday’s clash with Burnage. Port are already without calf tear victim Cheshire McAllister for the trip to South Manchester.
Team - Martell(c), Barnes, Bland, Croxford, Favill, Gulliver, Hill, Jones, Kemp, R Kearney, Woods
Saturday 19 May, H Vs Barnton (League)
SIX OF THE BEST FOR ROOKIE RYAN
Rookie seamer Ryan Kearney stunned Barnton with a career best 6 for 8 on Saturday at Leverhulme. Following up good opening spells from Cheshire McAllister (12 overs, 1 for 18) and Brendan Woods (1-27), Kearney, in tandom with Ian Byrne (1-13), ripped apart the visitors middle and lower order eventually reducing them to 68 all out. Teddy ‘Crazy Horse’ Favill had earlier broken a useful 3rd wicket partnership with a direct hit run out.
In reply, wickets in successive balls had Sunlight in early trouble at 11 for 2 before an unbroken partnership of 59 between opener Danny Gulliver (35 not out) and captain Rob Martell (31 not out) saw the Portsiders home to a comprehensive 8 wicket triumph.
Martell was delighted with his team’s efforts “We put in a quality performance today. I’m particularly pleased for Ryan who has shown what he is capable of - I could not have asked for more from him.”
Team – Martell (capt), Barnes, Byrne, Favill, Gulliver, Hill, R Kearney, W Kearney, Kemp, McAllister, Woods,
Friday 18 May - H Vs Orrell Red Triangle
(Echo Cup)
Port’s 2001 Echo Cup campaign ended at the first hurdle on Friday when an inexperienced line up failed to block a determined Orrell Red Triangle sides passage to the 2nd round.
Batting first in a match reduced to 16 overs a side, Sunlight posted a useful looking 87-5 with Woods (25) and comeback kid Mike Barnes (18) looking particularly impressive. Unfortunately, despite a tight opening spell from Woods (4 over, 2 wkts, 6 runs), the total did not pose the visitors any great difficulty who overhauled it with 7 wickets and 2 overs to spare.
“I’m not too disheartened” skipper Rob Martell commented “I felt we performed well against opposition from a higher league and Mike Barnes’s batting, along with the efforts of the lads not usually called into action for the first team, deserves particular praise”.
Team – Martell (capt), Barnes, Croxford, Jones, Hussein, Gulliver, Hardy, Kemp, Naylor, Williams, Woods,
League - A Vs Woodford (Sat 12 May)
Port were brought back down to earth with a bang at Woodford on Saturday and with defeat, lost top spot in the Meller Braggins League Division 3.
Electing to bat first the home side were soon in control despite a high quality, prolonged spell of bowling in the searing heat from Bruce Neary (18 Overs, 3 Wkts, 48 Runs). The innings finally closed on a commanding 186-7 declared in 45 overs.
Sunlight's reply never got off the ground and a steady procession of wickets eventually saw Woodford run out comfortable winners with 137 and 18 overs to spare. Only Neary (18) and Hill (14) managed to put together any sort of innings.
Captain Rob Martell was dissappointed but philosophical after the match "I'm not happy with the way we batted but in each of my 8 years at the club we seem to have always had one or two performances like this. Let's hope that is the one for this year".
Team - Martell(c), Bryne, Favill, Gulliver, Hill, R Kearney, W Kearney, Lomas, Neary, Woods.
Elsewhere for Sunlight, the Meller Braggins 2nd XI enjoyed a winning draw while John Fowler's team, under caretaker captain Nick Mernock, went down to an 8 wicket defeat. A total of 159-5, including an opening stand of 121 between Allan Nethercott(46) and Paul Fowler(62), proving not to be enough.
League - H Vs Stalybridge St Pauls (Sat 5 May)
Port Sunlight stormed to the top of the Meller Braggins League Division 3 on Saturday with a hard fought 24 point win Vs Stalybridge St Pauls at Leverhulme.
Bowling first, Sunlight had Stalybridge in early trouble (Bruce Neary 3-27) before a brave counter attack looked to have given the visitors the upper hand. Disciplined bowling from veteran seamer Jimmy McAllister (3-30) and Ian Byrne (3-28) eventually saw the innings close on 160 all out.
Port’s reply was positive and effective - a good team effort including useful knocks from Martell (32) and Favill (36 n.o.) saw Sunners home with more than an over to spare, 3 late wickets failing to alter the course of the game.
Pleased to be top of the league, skipper Martell issued a challenge to his talented squad “let’s be there at the end of the season!…….The table is a touch misleading at the moment although we have made a great start and got some valuable points in the bag; we now need to capitalise on this early advantage”.
Port Sunlight Team - Martell, Byrne, Favill, Hill, Husein, R Kearney, Kemp, Lomas, McAllister, Neary, Woods
Sunlight's Meller Braggins 2nd XI fell to a narrow defeat at Old Parkonians whilst the Shammah Nicholls side recorded their 2nd comprehensive victory of the campaign under the guidance of John Fowler. Understudy Nick Mernock will lead the side this coming Saturday.
Cheshire Shield - H Vs Ashley (Sun 6 May)
Sunlight were victorious in their first cup match of the season, a Cheshire Shield tie at home to league rivals Ashley.
Rampant early on, Port reduced the visitors to an astounding 28-6 from 13 overs. Bruce Neary (3-18) and Brendan Woods (3-21) were the chief executioners. A pugnacious 7th wicket stand of 48 gave Ashley a glimmer of hope before youngsters Ian Byrne (2-18) and Ryan Kearney (1-23) ended the innings on 83 after only 23 of the allotted 40 overs. Ryan’s father, wicketkeeper Billy Kearney, celebrated his return to action after a trip to Florida by claiming four victims (3 catches and a stumping).
In reply Sunlight recovered from the loss of two early wickets to pass the winning post with 6 wickets and 10 overs to spare. Mark Tighe (38 n.o.) and Matty Hill (11 n.o.) were the batsmen to see them home.
This victory sets up what promises to be an intriguing 2nd round clash at Bowden Vale on Sunday June 3rd.
Port Sunlight Team - Martell, Byrne, Favill, Hill, Husein, R Kearney, W Kearney, Lomas, Neary, Tighe, Woods
28/4/01
Port Sunlight's trip to Ashley was cancelled due to a waterlogged outfield. A total washout of League Division 3 fixtures however meant that Port did not lose any ground on their rivals and remain in 3rd place seven points off top spot.
21/4/01
Port Sunlight put in a solid performance in their first match of the season but failed to claim the last 3 Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge wickets required to secure victory.
After losing the toss and being put into bat the Sunlight top order reacted well. A good opening partnership of 41 between Danny Gulliver (24) and Mark Tighe (57) and some fine strokeplay from star all rounder Brendan Woods (50 not out) and former skipper & birthday boy Teddy Favill (29 years and runs) left Port on 179 for 4 at the end of their 45 overs.
Opening bowlers Hovis Williams (1-12) and Bruce Neary (3-39) had the visitors in trouble early in their reply but as the required run rate increased, Ladybridge's sites moved from victory to batting points and wickets became harder to come by. Even a fine spell of bowling from veteran seamer and club Chairman Jimmy McAllister (2-14) couldn't produce the required amount of breakthroughs and the match eventually petered out into a draw with Ladybridge completing their 45 overs on 129 for 7.
Sunners scooped a reasonable 13 points from the winning draw and CHL returned to Stockport with only 4 in the bag.
Skipper Rob Martell, although dissappointed not to start his reign with a victory, was pleased with his team's performance "I felt we were always on top today. It's a shame we couldn't press home this advantage but we have still achieved the neccessary positive start to the season".
(Team - Gulliver, Tighe, Martell (c), Woods, Favill, Neary, Byrne, R Kearney, W Kearney (wkt), Williams, McAllister)
Elsewhere in The Meller Braggins League Division 3 there were 20 point wins for Disley (Vs Barnton) and Stalybridge St Pauls (Vs Sanbach) and abandonments at Woodford, Burnage and next week's opponents Ashley leaving Sunlight 7 points adrift of top spot in third place.
Congratulations to John Fowler's 2nd XI who completed a 9 wicket victory at home to Frodsham on Saturday. Arthur Ashley (5-12) and Matty Hill (3-20) reduced the visitors to 35 all out. Alan Nethercott (17) and Paul Fowler (20 not out) secured a well earned triumph. |
2001 Squad/Statistics
First XI Statistics 2001
Rob Martell (captain) - Apps 19, Inns 19 (4n.o.), Runs 257, Catches 8/ Cup Apps 4, Inns 3, Runs 44, Catches 1
Danny Gulliver (vice captain) - Apps 19, Inns 19 (4n.o.), Runs 379, Catches 9/ Cup Apps 3, Inns 3, Runs 56
Mike Barnes - Apps 4, Inns 3, Runs 15, Overs 19.4, Runs conceded 62, Wkts 5, Catches 1/ Cup Apps 2, Inns 1, Runs 18, Overs 3, Runs Conceded 31, Wkts 0
Gary Bland - Cup Apps 1
Ian Byrne - Apps 12, Inns 9, Runs 156, Catches 5, Overs 29, Runs Conceded 128, Wkts 5 / Cup Apps 2, Inns 1, Runs 0, Catches 0, Overs 10.3, Runs conceded 64, Wkts 3
John Clare - Apps 1, Inns 1 (1 n.o.), Runs 1
Adam Crosby - Apps 9, Inns 7, Runs 76, Catches 2, Overs 47, Runs conceded 145, Wickets 8
Paul Croxford - Cup Apps 2, Inns 1 (1n.o.), Runs 5
Edward Favill - Apps 7, Inns 6 (1 n.o.), Runs 95, Catches 3 (+ 1 run out)/ Cup Apps 3, Inns 3, Runs 36, Catches 2
Martin Hardy - Apps 1, Inns 1, Runs 1/Cup Apps 1, Inns 0
Matty Hill - Apps 19, Inns 15(1no), Runs 128, Catches 7, Overs 112.2, Runs conceded 344, Wkts 27/ Cup Apps 3, Inns 3 (3 n.o.), Runs 40, Overs 9.3 (inc. 2.3 8 ball overs), Runs conceded 52, Wkts 0
Sadat Hussain - Apps 1, Inns 1, Runs 6, Catches 2, Overs 2, Runs Conceded 23, Wkts 0/ Cup Apps 2, Inns 2, Runs 6, Overs 2, Runs Conceded 17, Wkts 1
Mark Jones - Apps 5, Inns 5, Runs 42, Catches 1/Cup Apps 2, Inns 0
Ryan Kearney - Apps 21, Inns 14, Runs 78(2n.o.), Catches 9, Overs 52, Runs Conceded 215, Wkts 13/ Cup Apps 3, Inns 0, Overs 16 (inc 5 8 ball overs), Runs conceded 78, Wkts 2
William Kearney - Apps 18, Inns 11(4n.o.), Runs 77, Catches 12, Stumpings 2/ Cup Apps 2, Inns 0, Catches 3, Stumpings 1
Graham Kemp - Apps 7, Inns 4(2n.o.), Runs 7, Catches 3, Run Out 1/ Cup Apps 2, Inns 1 (1n.o.), Runs 1, Overs 2.3 (inc. 2 8 ball overs), Runs conceded 24 , 1 Wkts
Christian Lawrence - Apps 13, Inns 9, Runs 107, Overs 129.3, Runs Conceded 413, Wickets 25, Catches 1/ Cup Apps 1, Inns 1 (1no), Runs 13, Overs 6.3, Runs conceded 32, wkts 1
Tim Lomas - Apps 4, Inns 2(1n.o.), Runs 0, Catches 0/ Cup Apps 1, Inns 0
Jimmy McAllister - Apps 13, Inns 6(3n.o.), Runs 5, Catches 1, Overs 97.1, Runs conceded 265, Wkts 21
Martin Naylor - Apps 4, Inns 2 (2n.o.), Runs 0, Catches 1/Cup Apps 2, Inns 0
Bruce Neary - Apps 9, Inns 8(1 n.o.), Runs 89, Catches 3, Overs 89.5, Runs Conceded 281, Wkts 18/ Cup Apps 2, Inns 2, Runs 3, Overs 8, Runs conceded 18, Wkts 3
Ian Riggs - Apps 1, Inns 1, Runs 0
Jimmy Roberts - Apps 2, Inns 1, Runs 0, Catches 1, Overs 5, Runs Conceded 21, Wkts 1
Mark Tighe - Apps 11, Inns 11, Runs 261, Catches 3/ Cup Apps 1, Inns 1 (1 n.o.), Runs 38
Spencer Whiting - Apps 1, Inns 1 (1 n.o.), Runs 8, Catches 1
Mark Wilkinson - Apps 1
Andy Williams - Apps 3, Inns 2 (1 n.o.), Runs 11, Catches 1, Overs 28, Runs conceded 45, Wkts 6/ Cup Apps 1, Overs 4, Runs conceded 24, Wkts 0
Brendan Woods - Apps 19, Inns 18(4n.o.), Runs 390, Catches 3, Overs 154.2, Runs conceded 490, Wkts 24/ Cup Apps 4, Inns 4 (1 n.o.), Runs 115, Catches 1, Overs 25 (inc. 5 8 ball overs), Runs conceded 73, Wkts 7
Warwick Wright - Apps 3, Inns 3 (1 n.o.), Runs 59, Catches 3
Nick ? - Apps 1, Inns 1, Runs 0 |
2001 Results
Results 2001 - 1st XI
(Sat 21 April) Port Sunlight v CH Ladybridge : PS - 179-4 (45 overs), CHL - 129-7 (45 overs) - Match Drawn (PS - 13pts, CHL - 4pts)
(Sat 28 April) Ashley v Port Sunlight
Match ababdoned (PS 5 pts, Ashley 5 pts)
(Sat 5 May) Port Sunlight v S'bridge St Pauls : SSP - 160 all out (43.5 overs), PS 161-7 (44.4 overs) - PS (24 pts) beat SSP (7 pts) by 3 wkts
(Sun 6 May Cheshire Shield 1st Round) Port Sunlight v Ashley : A - 83 all out (22 overs), PS 84 for 4 (30 overs). PS won by 6 wkts
(Sat 12 May) Woodford v Port Sunlight : W 186-7 (45 overs), PS 57 all out. W (25 pts) beat PS (3 pts) by 129 runs.
(Fri 18 May, 6.15, cup) Echo Cup (H) v Orrell Red Triangle: (MATCH REDUCED TO 16 OVERS PER SIDE) PS-87 for 5, O - 90 for 3. ORT beat PS by 7 wkts
(Sat 19 May) Port Sunlight v Barnton: B - 68 all out, PS 70 for 2. PS (20 pts) beat B (1 pt) by 8 wkts.
(Thurs 24 May, 6.15, cup) Port Sunlight v Christleton : PS - 94-3, C 98-3. Christleton beat Port Sunlight by 7 wkts.
(Sat 26 May) Burnage v Port Sunlight: PS 101-8 (45 overs), B 102-8. B (19pts) bt PS (4pts) by 2 wkts.
(Sat 2 Jun) Port Sunlight v Wilmslow: W 160-8 (45 overs) P 151-7. PS (7pts) drew with W (12pts)
(Sun 3 Jun) H vs Bowden Vale (Cheshire Shield): PS 177-6 (40 overs), BV 178-4 (38.3 overs). PS lost to BV by 6 wkts
(Sat 9 Jun) Disley v Port Sunlight: D 84 all out, PS 85-3. PS (20 pts) beat D (1 pt) by 7 wkts
(Sat 16 Jun) Port Sunlight v Trinity: T 76 all out. PS 79-1. PS (20pts) beat T (0 pts) by 9 wickets.
(Sat 23 Jun) Sandbach v Port Sunlight. S 162-9, PS 90 all out. S (24 pts) beat PS (4) by 72 runs.
(Sat 30 Jun) Port Sunlight v Wirral Mersey Park. PS 139 all out, WMP 141 for 6. PS (5pts) lost to WMP (23pts) by 4 wickets.
(Sat 7 Jul) CH Ladybridge v Port Sunlight. PS 64 all out. CHL 67 for 2. CHL (20pts) beat PS (1pt) by 8 wkts.
(Sat 14 Jul) Port Sunlight v Ashley. PS 176-2 dec. A 179-5. PS (7pts) lost to A (21pts) by 5 wkts
(Sat 21 Jul) S'bridge St Pauls v Port Sunlight. PS 137 all out. SSP 125 all out. SSP (7pts) lost to PS (22pts) by 12 runs.
(Sat 28 Jul) Port Sunlight v Woodford. W 133-9(45 overs). PS 85-8 PS (4 pts) drew with W (11)
(Sat 4 Aug) Barnton v Port Sunlight. PS 177-5 (45 overs). Match abandoned - Rain. B 5 pts, PS 5pts
(Sat 11 Aug) Port Sunlight v Burnage. B 180-9 dec (41 overs). PS 170 all out (47.5 overs). PS (9pts) lost to B (25pts) by 10 runs.
(Sat 18 Aug, 1.30pm) Wilmslow v Port Sunlight. W 145 all out (44.1 overs). PS 117-9. Wilmslow (7pts) drew with PS (6pts)
(Sat 25 Aug, 1.30pm) Port Sunlight v Disley. D 74 all out. PS 75-7. PS (20pts) beat Disley (3) by 3 wkts.
(Sat 1 Sep, 1.00pm) Trinity v Port Sunlight. Trinity 190-9 (43 overs). PS 145-6 (43 overs). Trinity (13pts) drew with PS (7pts)
(Sat 8 Sep, 1.00pm) Port Sunlight v Sandbach. PS 115 all out. S 102 all out. PS (21pts) beat S (5pts) by 13 runs
(Sat 15 Sep, 1.00pm) Wirral Mersey Park v Port Sunlight. PS 107 all out. WMP 108-4. WMP (20 pts) bt PS (2 pts) by 6 wkts
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2001 - Final League Table
Final Table 2001 (after 22 rounds of matches)
PORT SUNLIGHT - P22, W7, D(5)1, D(0)4, L8, A2
Sandbach 320
Wilmslow 313
CH Ladybridge 294
Ashley 264
Burnage 248
Wirral Mersey Park 239
S'bridge St Pauls 231
Port Sunlight 229
Barnton 192
Woodford 179
Disley 148
Trinity 114 |
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