It was a bit like the old days on Saturday(Aug,7) – players desperately mopping up after two mini cloudbursts had threatened our title-chasing momentum. But for our new drains, the fight might have been in vain, but they and the mass mop allowed us to get the 25-point, 60-run win over Wirral which keeps us eight points clear at the top of Meller Braggins Cheshire League Div.3 with just six games left. The bottom club surprised us by asking us to bat first in a match reduced to 38 overs each. Alex Barber’s game plan involved making sure of full batting points before declaring and leaving us extra overs to bowl out the Merseysiders, who have been showing signs of a recovery. Quick scoring was a test given the slow outfield, but Ned Kelly, promoted to open, and Tommy Rolph delivered the sound base needed for a successful assault. Ned made the shift without hurting his usual fluency and Tommy batted with customary delicacy of touch, easing past his 500 runs for the season. It was a surprise when, at 62, Kelly (30) had his defence pierced by medium pacer Mahers. But Andy Bashford helped us accelerate, his 34 including three big sixes. Rolph, who looked set for a big score, surprisingly miscued to the one-armed Holder in the next over. But big hitter Barber, promoting himself up the order, matched Bash’s power in a quick fire 31. The scene was set for a big climax and Chris Coupes(13), Ben Allcock(4), Tommy Roberts(7no) and Jonny Holt(11no) sent us racing to 188-6 in 35 overs. It looked like being another kind of mop up when Wirral seemed set on a collective suicide. Gambles(0) obligingly holed out to Nick Fithon’s full toss and fellow opener Jones(11) wildly nicked Barber to Jonny Holt.  Worse, Clewes(0) and Slight(0) were stranded and coolly run out by Bashford, both let down by McPherson’s poor judgement of a run. That left Wirral 30-4 and seemingly out of it. But the slender McPherson refused to let his double sabotage bother him and began taking advantage of anything loose. He lost Dan Develing(11) and Adkins(0) to successive Barber thunderbolts(50-6) but found a stubborn partner in Cocker. Together, they threatened to inflict some real damage. They had put on 71 in 17 overs with increasing freedom, giving Wirral a sniff of victory, when Paul Garner’s flight deceived McPherson, leaving him a happier return to the pavilion than he could have expected 90 minutes earlier. The end wasn’t long coming. Barber’s pace was too much for tailenders Dom Develing and Holder, completing his second ‘five-for’,  before Garner had the last word, trapping Corker in front. 

Scores: Romiley 188-6(35 overs; Rolph 53; Mahers 4-58). Wirral 128(33.4 overs; McPherson 67; Barber 5-29, Garner 2-22, Fithon 1-26)