DAY 2 REPORT

HEARTACHE FOR NEWTON'S MEN

By Neil Goulding (Cheshire Press Officer)

CHESHIRE 2nd XI slipped to defeat despite a superb batting display on the second and final day of their battle with the Yorkshire Academy at New Rover, Leeds.

Andy Newton's team declared on 113-7 on a rain-interrupted first day - and sportingly the Yorkshire Academy declared overnight on 111-2 to leave the match wide open with one innings each left.

But even though Cheshire posted an impressive 214-6 declared from 51 overs, the hosts held their nerve to clinch a seven-wicket victory.

Chester Boughton Hall's Warren Goodwin was the pick of the Cheshire batsman with a top score of 76, while Heaton Mersey opener Nick Cantello (53) and Widnes' James McCoy (20) also made valuable contributions.

However, wicketkeeper Matt Dawson, who played for Cheshire last season, came back to haunt his old county with an unbeaten 83 which steered the Yorkshire Academy to victory.

Dawson, who scored 49 against Yorkshire last season at New Rover, was selected to play for Cheshire, but at the last minute dropped out and opted to chance his luck with Yorkshire because of the promise of an opportunity the county's 2nd XI team.

The wicketkeeper is still registered with Cheshire, but even so it didn't detract from his fine batting and some not so fine Cheshire bowling.

Macclesfield's Ian Tait, Chris Hampshire, from Nantwich, and Bramhall spinner Simon Wilkinson all grabbed a wicket each, but by then the damage had been done and the home side triumphed with three overs and four balls to spare.

"We batted very well, but all credit to the Yorkshire Academy because they batted well and deserved to win," said Sandy Scrimgeour.

"We didn't bowl very well, but on saying that we missed Tom Young."

Young, who made his debut for Cheshire 1st XI against Wales in the MCCA Knockout Cup last Sunday, has suffered a recurrence of a leg-injury.

The Hyde seam bowler is now a doubt as Cheshire's 12th man for next week's (June 20-22) Minor Counties Championship Western Division clash with Cornwall, at Moss Lane, Alderley Edge.

"We did miss Tom because he's such a good bowler, but to get 214 runs in the overs we left them with is a good effort," added Scrimgeour.

"Obviously we would have liked to have won, but there were some pleasing performances from Warren Goodwin, Nick Cantello, Chris Davies and Steve Hall in his first game as wicketkeeper for us."

Cheshire 2nd XI play the Durham Academy, in their next match, between 30 June and July 1 at Upton Cricket Club, followed by a return fixture with the Yorkshire Academy, a one-day clash at Barrow CC on July 11.

The county's fourth and concluding game of the season is against Staffordshire CCC 2nd XI, at Elworth, on Tuesday August 2.

Cheshire 12-man team: Andy Newton (captain), Chris Hampshire (Nantwich); James McCoy (Widnes); Chris Davies (New Brighton); Warren Goodwin (Chester Boughton Hall); Nick Cantello (Heaton Mersey); Simon Wilkinson (Bramhall); Tom Young (Hyde); John Birchill (Brooklands); Ian Tait (Macclesfield); Jamie Maltman (Poynton); Stephen Hall(wicketkeeper, Cheadle).

Two-day friendly (June 15-16, New Rover, Leeds)
Yorkshire Academy v Cheshire 2nd XI.

Final day of 2 (Scores overnight 113-7 and 111-2)

Cheshire 2nd XI - 1st innings: 113-7 declared, 35 overs (Davies 40)
Yorkshire Academy - 1st innings: 111-2 declared (overnight)
Cheshire 2nd XI - 2nd innings: 214-6 declared, 51 overs (Goodwin 76, Cantello 53, McCoy 20)
Yorkshire Academy - 2nd innings: 215-3, 34.2 overs (Dawson 83 not out).


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DAY 1 REPORT

DAVIES SHINES DESPITE THE RAIN

By Neil Goulding (Cheshire Press Officer, Mobile 07931 376811)

NEW Brighton batsman Chris Davies starred on debut for Cheshire 2nd XI in an otherwise frustrating day for the county.

Davies top-scored with a hard-earned 40, but even his innings could not deter from a batting collapse from Cheshire on the opening day of their two-day friendly encounter with the Yorkshire Academy, at New Rover, Leeds.

Cheshire eventually declared on 113-7 after 35 overs, with play only getting underway at 3pm due to heavy rain.

The Yorkshire Academy also batted, reaching a respectable 111-2 at the close of play, although the hosts are expected to declare early today to leave both sides with an innings each.

"The rain meant it was a very frustrating day for everyone, but Chris Davies did really well on his debut," said Sandy Scrimgeour, the Cheshire 2nd XI manager.

Cheshire 12-man team: Andy Newton (captain), Chris Hampshire (Nantwich); James McCoy (Widnes); Chris Davies (New Brighton); Warren Goodwin (Chester Boughton Hall); Nick Cantello (Heaton Mersey); Simon Wilkinson (Bramhall); Tom Young (Hyde); John Birchill (Brooklands); Ian Tait (Macclesfield); Jamie Maltman (Poynton); Stephen Hall (wicketkeeper, Cheadle).

Two-day friendly (June 15-16, New Rover, Leeds)
Yorkshire Academy v Cheshire 2nd XI.

Day 1 of 2, Cheshire 2nd XI - 1st innings: 113-7 declared, 35 overs (Davies 40)
Yorkshire Academy - 1st innings: 111-2

NEWTON TO LEAD CHESHIRE CHARGE

By Neil Goulding (Cheshire Press Officer, Mobile 07931 376811)

FORMER Nantwich skipper Andy Newton is relishing his new role as Cheshire 2nd XI captain.

Newton takes charge of his first game, tomorrow (Wednesday), away to the Yorkshire Academy at New Rover, although a back-injury nearly ruled him out of contention for the two-day clash, which concludes on Thursday at New Rover, Leeds.

Thankfully, though, Newton is ready to take over the reigns from retiring captain Steve Bramhall, who steps down after three successful years in the job.

"I wish Andy and the rest of the team the very best of luck," said Bramhall, who still captains Bowdon in the Murray Smith Accountants Cheshire County League.

"It's been enjoyable helping to develop some of the county's most promising players, but I just felt the time was right to step down."

Cheshire approach the first of two clashes with the Yorkshire Academy this year with an injury-hit team, with nine players having ruled themselves out for one reason or another - largely due injury and work commitments.

But 2nd team manager Sandy Scrimgeour has done an admirable job to get a full side, although they have a hard act to follow.

Cheshire defeated the Yorkshire Academy by seven wickets last season at Christleton Cricket Club, and the previous season also triumphed by 73 runs at Upton.

However, the last two seasons have seen the Yorkshire Academy triumph on home turf - a record which Newton and Scrimgeour are both looking to change.

"It would be nice to win because they beat us by just one wicket when we played them at their place, but all in all this year is about blooding young talent and hopefully seeing them progress to the first team," said Scrimgeour.

Indeed. Last year Tom Young starred for the 2nd XI - and this year has yielded a debut for the Hyde youngster in the county 1st XI.

"Hopefully we can find a few more Tom Young's this season," added Scrimgeour. "We've given a few young players a chance, eight of whom will making their Cheshire debuts."

One hope is left-arm spinner Jamie Maltman, from Poynton, who is being given the chance to shine alongside some of the county's other most promising young stars.

Cheshire 12-man team: Andy Newton (captain), Chris Hampshire (Nantwich); James McCoy (Widnes); Chris Davies (New Brighton); Warren Goodwin (Chester Boughton Hall); Nick Cantello (Heaton Mersey); Simon Wilkinson (Bramhall); Tom Young (Hyde); John Birchill (Brooklands); Ian Tait (Macclesfield); Jamie Maltman (Poynton); Stephen Hall(wicketkeeper, Cheadle).

Fixture (June 15-16, New Rover, Leeds)
Two-day friendly match: Yorkshire Academy v Cheshire 2nd XI.