Bowler Nick Fithon turned batting hero as we finally opened our Meller Braggins Cheshire League winning account at the fourth attempt. But what a heart-stopper it was…..There were five balls left when the No 11 bat turned the ball wide of the clutching hands of short mid wicket for the single that gave us a one-wicket Third Division victory over Sandbach at Birch Vale Drive. He and last wicket partner Paul Garner came together with seven runs still needed and fielders crowding the bat, but they calmly saw it through, Paul offering one classic reminder of what a fine bat he can be. We had been set 167 for victory after bowling out Sandbach with three overs of the 45 to spare. Their last five wickets had gone down for 13 runs, thanks mainly to a stunning one-handed boundary catch by Fithon that removed the dangerous Fahir and three differing, excellent run outs by Tom Rolph, Andy Bashford and Billy Flattley. But when we lost our first four wickets for 47, it left us with a familiar backs to the wall job and a grind to the finish…..Tommy Roberts, making his first team league debut, showed no sign of nerves, breezing to 17 before toe ending a cut to first slip. But again it was the depth of our batting that got us out of trouble. Jack Kelly, as commanding as he had been when top scoring at Bunbury, and Flattley looked as if they could take us to victory with assured batting until their partnership came to an unlucky end. Flattley’s straight drive was deflected on to the stumps by bowler Thredgold with Kelly backing up and stranded. That was 95-6 with 16 overs to go. Enter the in-form Eddie Nickson and he and the confident Flattley put us within 37 runs of the win before the seventh wicket fell. Then Flattley was caught for 34(six fours)  and we were eight down and 19 short when skipper Alex Barber holed out to cover. Eddie, who hit five fours in his top scoring 35, looked well capable of shepherding us home with Garner until, with seven runs to get, he was pinned on the back foot by Nolan. That was the chance for the last wicket heroics that edged us over the line and finally gave us a maximum 25 points.
Scores: Sandbach 166(42overs; Lathan 39; Flattley 3-29, P.Garner 2-38, Kelly 1-33, Barber 1-38). Romiley 167-9(47.2overs; Nickson 35, Flattley 34, Kelly 24; Kara 5-56)

Twenty-four hours later, we were thrown in the deep end in the National Club Cup – a first round tie at Premier League Hyde. We put out a side that included four of last year’s successful U15s, but we still gave them a run for their money. And facing a team at the level we aspire to reach was priceless experience for Tom Rolph, Ben Allcock, Tom Roberts and James Badrock. Hyde paid us due respect, choosing a team that was at full strength apart from two missing Cheshire players. But with Rolph showing his quality, top scoring with 42, we reached a respectable 168-7 in our 45 overs. Hyde openers Fitzsimmons and Leech underlined their quality, dealing harshly with anything loose, with a stand of 102 before Ned Kelly had Leech caught by Eddie Nickson, who then bowled Twinney for a duck. But that was to be our last success.  Fitzsimmons finished unbeaten on 69 and Morris on 24, Hyde winning in the 33rd over.

Scores: Romiley 168-7(45overs; Rolph 42, C.Booker 23, Kelly 21). Hyde 172-2(32.4overs; Fitzsimmons 69no, Leech 59; Nickson 1-23, Kelly 1-27) 

This Saturday, (May 22) we have a league match at Wirral.