Partnerships hold the key to cricket success and we had vital ones at both ends in Saturday’s(Aug.14) 84-run win at Old Parkonians. First, openers Rick Holt and Tommy Rolph put together their sixth 50-plus liaison of the season, giving us another solid foundation. And, a few hours later, the less likely bowling combination of Paul Garner and Stuey Milne wrapped up the victory that keeps us eight points clear of Woodford(345-337) in the Meller Braggins Cheshire League Division 3 promotion race. Rick(41) and Tommy(31) didn’t find fluency easy on a partially drying track and were frustrated by a well-grassed, slow outfield. But they battled to put on 60 in 15 overs before Rolph became the first of leg spinner Westwater’s seven wickets, six in a row. Even Andy Bashford struggled for his usual dominance, hitting just one boundary in his 22. With only 10 overs left, we were six down for 112, losing Jack Kelly(0), Ben Allcock(6) and Milne(1) for 22 runs. Jonny Holt then led the tail in a defiant fightback. Between them, Holt(28), Billy Flattley(17) and skipper Alex Barber(24no) added another 69 runs, giving us something to defend. It was more than enough. Nick Fithon soon struck – and he hasn’t bowled many better balls than the one that jagged away off middle and leg to clip the top of opener N.Hitchell’s off stump. Barber joined in, trapping the aggressive T.Hitchell leg before and then having the perfect answer to the indignity of M.Hitchell’s driven six, bowling him with a perfect slower ball. Only Beckett(29) offered much more than token resistance against Garner’s subtle left arm spin. And when Milne’s left arm seamers were introduced, the old boys swiftly capitulated. Paul, mean as well as skilful,  turned in his best figures of the campaign – 4-13 in 11 overs and Stuey followed with his best -  5.4-2-16-3. The home side were dismissed for 97, the last five wickets going down for 16 runs. We needed the full 25 points because Woodford, 32-run winners over Pott Shrigley, are matching us stroke for stroke, despite the hot pace we’re setting.
Scores: Romiley 181-8(45 overs; R.Holt 41; Westwater 7-68). O.Parkonians 97(33.4 overs; Beckett 29; Garner 4-13, Milne 3-16,Barber 2-31, Fithon 1-16).

* Stretton, the visitors to Birch Vale Drive on Saturday, possess a dangerous Aussie in Ben Clissold. The big man hit us for 100 before Billy Flattley bowled him and then inspired us to a last over, two- wicket win in the first game.