Our luck finally ran out on Saturday when our last Cheshire League promotion hopes were washed down the overworked Romiley drains after the latest monsoon to hit Birch Vale Drive. Despite our recent poor run, we went into this final game with high hopes, knowing that a win over immediate rivals Lindow would mean we had completed the jump from Third Division to First in two seasons. But a series of savage showers first curtailed us to a 40-over Second Division contest and then caused abandonment after Lindow had batted only thirteen overs. It was a bitter blow. The lads had fought valiantly against the elements, putting in a long stint with buckets and towels, first on Friday night and then on Saturday, in an effort to get the ground fit. But there was no chance of continuing. The ground was awash and the boys finished up in an uproarious aquaplaning contest on the lake in front of the pavilion– won by a stomach by Stuey Milne….. With Cholmondeley, always outsiders in the race, similarly rained off at Barrow, Lindow took that vital second promotion spot behind champions Winnington Park with us third, two points adrift. But we can’t complain. We have no one to blame but ourselves for missing out. Our brilliant run in the middle of the campaign had left the situation in our hands. We were undone by two wretched performances at strugglers Mere and Winsford. Anything like normal form would have left us considering our programme among the League’s elite in 2012, not pondering the delights of Kingsley etc……
We had slightly the better of what little play there was. Skipper Alex Barber removed Taylor, a prolific opener, courtesy of Milne’s excellent low catch at cover, for eight. And Billy Flattley had Farmer similarly well held by Rob Booker(8). That was 36-2 and new man Barratt had time to face one ball before the match-ending deluge wrecked us……
It was not the way skipper Barber and vice-captain Andy Bashford wanted to leave the cause. Personal commitments, including impending marriage to the future Charlotte Barber, left Alex feeling he could not devote the necessary time to the job. And Bash, 44, always a stern self critic, believes he can no longer do justice to the team or himself. Barber, our top wicket taker, will continue to play and is willing to serve as vice–captain to whoever takes over – Rick Holt is the favourite. He steps down with the club’s grateful thanks. Under his powerful leadership, we won the Third Division title at the first time of asking last year, came close to making it a double triumph this time, and led us the final of the League 20/20 Cup and the Cheshire Shield semi-final. Ebullient Bash has left a similar indelible mark on club history. He returned to the club after a long, successful stint at Bredbury and his experience and big match knowhow were key to our escaping the old Derbyshire and Cheshire League Division Two and to our success in the last two seasons. It was also his eloquence and determined campaigning that won over sceptics before our momentous decision to leave the D&C and give our talented kids the chance to mix it with the big boys in the Cheshire Pyramid. He still has much to offer and the hope is that he may yet be persuaded to have one last attempt at helping us into Division One.
Scores: Lindow 38-2(13.5 overs; Barber 1-18, Flattley 1-18).

Apoligies for late posting - Mal B.