A day that began with Alex Barber’s men fearing fresh rain interference with their promotion bid ended with that prized Cheshire League Division One spot a big step nearer. The great morning mop up operation, headed by club president Dave McPherson, allowed us to have a full match with Cholmondeley—and we took full advantage. Our third successive 25-point win allowed us to leapfrog our visitors into third place and, more important, put us in even closer touch with top two, Lindow and Winnington Park, both shock five-wicket losers. Cholmondeley, who had edged us in their home game, paid severely for inserting us. Some water had seeped under the covers, but we had few problems. They were blitzed to the tune of 224-6, most of our wickets only falling in the mad dash for quick runs before our 42-over declaration. Shell-shocked Cholmondeley then fell 90 runs short of us despite the bonus of having those three extra overs to reach their target.
Old timers were struggling to remember the last time Romiley’s first three batters had scored more than fifty in an innings. That’s what happened as Rick Holt, Tommy Rolph and Ben Allcock stroked and blasted us into a powerful position. Holt, now nearing 600 runs for the season, took full advantage of some indifferent bowling to hammer 70 out of a 93-run opening stand with Rolph.  He hit 13 fours and a six before holing out at long on, seeking the big hit that would have marked another milestone for the prolific opener. Then Allcock took over, inflicting more torture on the suffering bowlers. He underlined his talent with a fluent 57 in a century stand for the second wicket in 16 overs. Last week, the 18-year-old batsman-keeper had spent too much of his birthday with a knee encased in ice in Lymm’s pavilion. But here he celebrated in real style, later following up by taking five catches, two of them exceptional.  He hit eight fours and a six before trying a daring run which cost him his wicket. With the declaration in sight, Stuart Milne(14), Danny Oldland(1), Barber(1) and Jack Kelly(1) also sacrificed themselves for a measly return of five runs in three overs, giving Cholmondeley cheap wickets they had not earned. Meanwhile, Tommy, despite gastric trouble, batted on serenely to an unbeaten 71(10 fours), his fourth 50-plus score of the campaign.
  Cholmondeley were quickly shoved on the back foot. Billy Flattley, continuing his good form, struck twice in his first over, both wickets courtesy of Allcock’s sticky fingers.  Barber followed by having Briscoe superbly caught by Holt, one of two by the super slipper, leaving them 1-3. And they would have been four down for very little but for a straightforward chance being fluffed off Sam Robinson. It was the first of several lives for the free swinging No 5. He was put down again off the frustrated Barber and also survived when Allcock was convinced he had caught him off Flattley. The misses could have cost us. Robinson and the more stylish Indian left-hander, Ajit Ranjan, put together 111 for the fourth wicket in good time. It was the under-used left arm subtlety of Stuey Milne that brought the breakthrough via the first of two big moments for substitute fielder Pat Hulley. Cholmondeley had kindly allowed us to use the teenage hopeful as a sub for Rolph and he responded by showing the coolness of a veteran to hold a skyer by Ranjan .  After that, the combination of Milne and Jack Kelly’s sheer pace ripped away resistance. The last six wickets fell for 22 in seven overs. Robinson was the ninth to go, his luck finally running out when Rob Booker crowned his exhilarating fielding by holding an awkward catch at deep mid wicket.  And young Hulley had the last word, catching a drive that threatened to remove his head. Now, with six games left and 125 points still to play for, we are 26 adrift of second placed Winning ton Park(314) with Lindow four more in front.  The big two play each other on Saturday, so knocking points off each other, and our aim is to keep winning, chip away their lead—and hope a promotion place is still available when we meet Lindow at home in the final match……
Scores: Romiley 224-6(42 overs; Rolph 71no, Holt 70, Allcock 57; Ranjan 3-55). Cholmondeley 134(31.2 overs; Robinson 65, Ranjan 50; Milne 4-18, Kelly 3-13, Flattley 2-35, Barber 1-37)