Mature batting by youngsters Tom Rolph and Tom Roberts, followed by a Stuart Milne’s late innings blitz,  put us in a winning position against Old Parkonians on Saturday(May 29). And seamer Nick Fithon wrapped up the 103-run beating of the Merseysiders with a season’s best return of 5-15, all five coming in just 12 balls. It meant that the old boys had subsided from 104-5, losing their last five wickets for six runs. And our third successive Cheshire League win keeps us within 26 points of Division 3 leaders Woodford. But we were pointing in a very different direction in this rain-reduced match when Rick Holt(6), Ben Allcock (0) and Ned Kelly(3) were back in the pavilion with only 11 runs on the board. It was then that Roberts joined opener Rolph in their vital fourth wicket stand. First, they were happy just to battle for survival, but gradually scoring strokes blossomed. And by the time Rolph was bowled for 36, they had righted us with a precious stand of 82. It had got our engine running. Rob Booker came in to add 44 with Roberts before the young talent was bowled for 64(eight fours), his maiden 50 for the first team. .  But his dismissal only let loose big hitter Milne on a memorable six-strewn spree. Defenders went as deep as they could go, but they would have had to stand in the gardens to have a hope of catching some of his blasts. And, just to show he’s not a one-shot wonder, burly Masher sent balls whistling through cover so fast the fielder there preferred self preservation over valour. Mainly through the six sixes and five fours he blasted in his unbeaten 67, we added 76 runs in seven overs of utter mayhem. James Badrock, his last admiring partner, didn’t need to support him with a run…

Bad starts can be catching. Alex Barber, later to add to his catalogue of spectacular catches,  and Ned Kelly removed four top bats for 26 runs in 10 overs. Then Walker, who had been the old boys’ top wicket taker,  sat firm with C.Hitchell while 53 came for the fifth wicket. It was Badrock who ended Walker’s innings at 50 when he had him caught by Barber.  Then it was medium pacer Fithon’s turn for the spotlight. Twice he was looking at a hat-trick as we stormed to our biggest win of the season,  leaving us in good heart for Saturday’s away confrontation with third placed Stretton.
Scores: Romiley(40 overs; 213-7(Milne 67no, Roberts 64, Rolph 36; Walker 4-56). O.Parkonians (27.4overs; 110; Walker 50; Fithon 5-15, Barber 2-30, Kelly 2-41, J.Badrock 1-21)