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ARCHIVED NEWS FROM PARKGATE FOR JULY 2000 TO DECEMBER 2000
7th October 2000 - COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE NAME PLAYERS OF YEAR Winner of the ECB Premier League's Keith Belfield Memorial Trophy was long-serving Toft off-spinner Paul Bertenshaw, who took most wickets (60) during the 2000 season, helping his club finish a creditable third behind champions Bowdon and second-placed Macclesfield. Runner-up was 1999 winner Ian Wrigglesworth (Macclesfield). First Division winner of the Clive Elliott Trophy was Marple's evergreen skipper Garry Cash, who scored a career-best 832 runs in his 45th year - and his 24th in the league. Cash polled twice as many votes as runner-up Robin Fisher (Alvanley). A one-vote margin won Dave Molloy (Hale Barns) the Mike Talbot-Butler Statuette as Second Division Player of the Year. Molloy captured 51 wickets despite an enforced mid-season lay-off and one of his best performances was a return of 2-1 off nine overs in the league's victory over the Cheshire League in the Chesters Trophy at Mobberley. Joint second in the voting were Andy Umpleby (Congleton) and Shahid Latif (Sale). Dual winners of the sponsors' Junior Player of the Year plaques presented by Murray Smith partner Richard Taylor were Hyde wicket-keeper James Knibbs and Chester Boughton Hall all-rounder James Powell. Both were members of the league's triumphant Under 17s team which beat Ribblesdale League Under 18s in the final of the North-West Colts Trophy at Neston in September. Sale's Shahid Latif won the sponsors' August / September Performance of the Month award for his amazing innings of 203 in a Second Division game at Mobberley in which he slammed 18 sixes and 16 fours. First winners of the Most Sporting Club award were Tattenhall. They received the Eddie Howard Memorial Trophy donated by his widow Mavis and presented by her to Tattenhall President Mike Reece. Voting was undertaken by members of the league Umpires & Scorers Association. Joint second were Timperley and Stockport Georgians. Winner of the Henderson Rose bowl as the league's Most Improved Club on and off the field were Winnington Park, whose chairman Mike Barrett received the coveted award. Winnington improved their position in all three divisions as well as the Aggregate table, also winning the Under 13's Plate, while providing one of the best pitches in the league, refurbished tea-rooms the most informative website. In addition they incurred no administrative fines between May and October. Three inter-league trophies won by the league during the season were re-presented: Liverpool Competition Challenge Shield to league senior representative XI captain Jon Gray; Chesters Trophy to manager Harry Bramhall; North-West Colts Trophy to skipper James Knibbs. The season's many team awards were distributed by league President Douglas Bourne. The principal speaker was Steven Rhodes the Worcestershire and former England wicket-keeeper, supported by Mike Reece (Tattenhall). The evening was rounded-off by entertainer Ronnie Stewart. The MC was Allan Sherratt and the event was organised by John Bygate, who declared it a great success "especially as it made a small profit for a change".
2nd October 2000 - COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE PRESS RELEASE The league Cricket Committee have deducted eight points from Bramhall's record - they lost the game by two wickets - and fined them £10 for providing false information on the result sheet. Action has also been taken against Bramhall captain James Mellor. In addition to a ban imposed by the Bramhall club committee on skipper Mellor covering the first two week-ends of the 2001 season, the league have added a further suspension on the player covering matches on Saturdays, May 5th and 12th. Furthermore, they have invited Mellor to tender his resignation from the Cricket Committee. Mellor also captained Cheshire 2nd XI last season. The deduction of points does not make any material difference to the First Division final table, Bramhall still finishing third behind champions Alderley Edge and promoted runners-up Oulton Park.
17th September 2000 - SEASON ENDS ON HIGH The victory over Oxton was once again mainly due to the all round performance of Aussie Stan Clifford. His five wickets left the Oxton innings in tatters and with George Tuckwell continuing to impress with two wickets and the ever reliable Dave Jones picking up three victims the visitors were bowled out for 90. Having failed to reach 80 in either of their last two matches it was no foregone conclusion that Neston would knock the runs off but birthday boy Clifford (25 not out) held the innings together to see his side home with five wickets and lots of drinking time to spare. The 2nd XI also finished the season with a win against Oxton and in doing so almost cost their hosts the league title. As it happens second placed Toft failed to win their last game and Oxton duly picked up the title despite being outplayed on the day. Peter Barber (65 not out) was the Neston hero seeing his side through to a comfortable win after the home side had only managed to score 137. Skipper Nigel Davies was left to reflect upon a summer in which the wet weather had cost his side dear.
17th September 2000 - FINAL PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
Bowdon are Champions, Birkenhead Park and Alsager are relegated.
14th September 2000 - WEEK-END'S FINAL CRICKET PROGRAMME GOES AHEAD - by MTB Chairman David Humpage said: "The petrol situation has improved to-day and our information is that sufficient fuel will become available by Saturday morning to allow players to get to games, even those involving longer journeys, and these have been kept to a minimum by fixture planning". From investigations, the league learned that many clubs would have been seriously inconvenienced by being asked to play 1st, 2nd and 3rd XI fixtures the following week-end. Many had players on holiday and major functions on their grounds, while others are planning to start major autumn work on their pitches. The season winds up with the Fred Graham Trophy final at Macclesfield on Sunday between Bowdon and Nantwich, starting at 12.30 p.m. If you are not playing, your attendance at this match is cordially invited. MANAGEMENT DATE: Please note that the correct date of the next Management Committee meeting is Tuesday, September 19th at Alvanley, not Thursday, September 21st, as stated erroneously in this week's Newsletter.
10th September 2000 - BOWDON ARE PREMIER CHAMPIONS - by Mike Talbot-Butler
10th September 2000 - TUCKWELL'S FIVE WICKET DEBUT After last weeks 54 all out it could be said that there was a dramatic improvement this week as Neston rattled up 77 against the bottom club with only skipper Phil Davis (25) making double figures. The bowlers almost salvaged the game and some pride but Park deservedly picked up their first win of the season - scraping home by 1 wicket in a tense finish. Debutant George Tuckwell made an impressive first team debut with 5 wickets. The 2nd XI drew again, this time it was Neston hanging on with 9 wickets down.
10th September 2000 - PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
Bowdon are Champions, Birkenhead Park and Alsager are relegated.
3rd September 2000 - RUSS PICKS UP THE DOUBLE It was all very easy for Russ Thompson's side with Alan Reeve top scoring (56) and Pete Chesters (40) chipping in as Neston reached 185 for 6 declared against the bottom club. Full batting points was enough to ensure the championship but there was to be no let up and Phil Tilby and Douggy Chadwick (three wickets each) quickly whipped through the Timperley batting (80 all out) to ensure that the celebrations could start early. Meanwhile at Neston Jim Hughes 4th XI were desperately seeking maximum points from their last game against Upton in the hope that they could retain the title should their arch rivals slip up at Timperley. Mike Potter (43), Jerry Scriven (43) and Mark Strong (34 not out) were the main contributors in Neston's total of 161 all out but unfortunately Upton replied with 162 for 4 (Ken Peers 3 for 51) to end any hope that Jim Hughes had of lifting the title for the second year running. Despite finishing runners up in both the league and cup Jim Hughes was first to congratulate Russ Thompson on his achievement... "They've just had the edge all season with a more settled and experienced side. I'm just pleased that both Neston teams have been able to once again dominate the 3rd XI competition which is testimony to the overall strength of the club and bodes well for the future." The 1st XI's season descended to a new low at Parkgate when they were bowled out for a paltry 54. The wet pitch was a significant factor as the ball leapt regularly off a good length but there was little application and wickets tumbled in quick succession. Chester themselves found the conditions difficult and when five wickets fell early on to Dave Jones there was a slight hope that Neston could pull off a remarkable win. Unfortunately Dave Atkins had the right idea for the visitors and with only 54 to get his flurry of boundaries were invaluable and effectively ended the game. A sixth wicket fell when the scores were level but the inevitable winning run came soon after. At Chester Boughton Hall the 2nd XI had 15 overs to try and capture the last Chester wicket to win the game. They failed and had to settle for a draw. Earlier in the afternoon Gareth Peers (45), Nigel Davies (42) and Elliot Berstock (24) had seen Neston through to 162 for 6 declared. George Tuckwell then destroyed the Chester innings with seven wickets but it was not quite enough as victory once again slipped away. With the 3rd XI season over, only the 1st team (away at Birkenhead Park) and the 2nd XI (home to Upton) have games this weekend.
3rd September 2000 - PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
Birkenhead Park are relegated.
31st August 2000 - CHESHIRE LOSE IN FINAL
27th August 2000 - THIRDS TRIUMPH IN ALL NESTON FINAL In reply the early loss of Mike Potter, Pete Chesters and Paul King was a temporary setback for the 3rd XI but Alan Reeve (67) and skipper Russ Thompson (49) put together a fine partnership to take their side ever closer to their target. Reeve's dismissal probably came a few overs too late to really influence the outcome but coupled with the run out of Thompson it was enough to set a few alarm bells ringing. Any slight doubts were soon dispelled by Merton Wellington who wasted no time in striking the crucial last few runs to give the 3rd XI victory and the first part of a possible league and cup double.
26th August 2000 - RUSS ON COURSE FOR DOUBLE With all the end of season excitement at Parkgate quite rightly revolving around the 3rd and 4th XI's it would be all to easy to forget the 1st and 2nd teams and on Saturday it was probably best to forget them both. Bowdon arrived at Neston as champions elect of the Cheshire County Premier League and there was little that the first team could do to dent their championship aspirations. Having invited the visitors to bat first Neston didn't help themselves when early chances went begging with both openers being dropped off the impressive Egerton. Anthony Crozier in particular took full advantage by going on to score a huge 140. Dave Jones managed to pick up a couple of wickets but there was nothing he or anyone else could do to stop Bowdon from posting a massive 244 for 3 declared. With little hope of reaching such a large target Neston could only realistically play for the draw. Unfortunately other than a delightful cameo from Jim Marshall (43) there was little real resistance and only the valiant efforts of 15 year old Elliot Berstock delayed defeat until the third from last over. Berstock was last man out with Neston still 111 runs adrift. The 2nd XI's game at Bowdon was a non event with the home side settling early on for a draw. George Tuckwell was the pick of the bowling for Neston and Ken Peers top scored with 27.
20th August 2000 - BEAVER THE HERO Choosing to bowl first Neston made a great start with Stan Clifford and Martin Noakes each picking up two early wickets to leave Alsager struggling on 30 for 4. A fifth wicket partnership between Long and Jinks dragged the home side back into the game but after Simon Marshall had Long caught at slip and Dave Collyer saw Jinks hole out to James Berstock at long-on the innings soon collapsed to 162 all out. The Neston opening partnership of Phil Davis and James Berstock soon set about the bowling attack and Davis in particular looked full of runs until he unsuccesfully attempted to clear the fielder on the long-off boundary. Simon Marshall (27) and James Berstock (28) shared a useful second wicket partnership which threatened to make light work of the Alsager total but unfortunately both were dismissed in quick succession. They in turn were soon followed back to the pavilion by Stan Clifford and Chris Toomey. With the home side fighting for their league survival and now encouraged by a flurry of wickets there were one or two Neston jitters about. Steve Egerton (27) and Jim Marshall shared a brief but productive partnership which swung things back in Neston's favour but again Alsager fought back with both their wickets. With 40 still required, overs running out and only three wickets left it seemed that Neston had once again pressed the self destruct button. Fortunately the experienced Brian Beaver had other plans and with 16 year old Elliot Berstock who was making his 1st team debut and then with Martin Noakes he found two partners more than capable of assisting his victory charge. Beaver's huge six straight back over the bowlers head and some calm and calculated strokes into gaps in the field steadily reduced the runs required. Fittingly it was Beaver who clinically dispatched the winning boundary from the last ball of the penultimate over. His 38 not out deservedly earned him the man of the match gold award and more importantly brought about a crucial 2 wicket win for his side. The 2nd XI didn't manage to fire on all cylinders at home to Widnes and were fortunate to eventually end up with a draw. The visitors had posted a getable total of 153 with Dickie Thorn (5 wickets) and Ken Peers (3 wickets) the pick of the bowlers. Only Max Bass (30) showed any real form with the bat although he will be disappointed at the way in which he was dismissed. Paul King (22) and Gareth Peers (20) briefly threatened a recovery but the steady fall of wickets eventually saw the last pair together with seven overs still to bowl. With no hope of victory some semblance of pride was partially restored by Thorn and George Tuckwell who successfully negotiated their way to the end (129 for 9) to salvage a draw. Nothing changed at the top of the 3rd XI table after both the thirds and the fourths registered comfortable wins. Johnny Brown (5 wickets), Robin Gwynn (3 wickets) and Phil Tilby (2 wickets) were more than a match for the Chester Boughton Hall batting line up dismissing them for 169. Steve Hazell continued his great run of form with another superb innings of 79 not out ably assisted by skipper Russ Thompson (52) as Neston knocked the runs off with the loss of only five wickets. It was even easier for the 4th XI who bowled Timperley out for only 71. Andy Joslin showed the importance of perfect physical fitness throughout his mammoth spell of 19 overs. His efforts were fully rewarded with the remarkable figures of 7 for 15. A seven wicket victory was duly wrapped up with Mathew Hardy (20 not out) and Tudor Williams (25) top scoring. This coming Sunday sees the two sides meet in the Jack Gardner Trophy final. The 4th XI's cup final place was confirmed after New Brighton were thrown out of the competition for fielding an ineligible player. A large crowd is expected at Parkgate to watch these two old rivals battle it out in the first part of the race to win the league and cup double. 24 hours before the final both sides will be just as keen to ensure that their league season stays on track. Russ Thompson's side play at home against Caldy whilst Jim Hughes takes his 4th XI to play at Warrington. Also on Saturday premier league champions elect Bowdon bring their all star cast to Neston to play the 1st XI. The 2nd XI travel up the M56 to play Bowdon's 2nd XI.
20th August 2000 - PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
16th August 2000 - 2ND XI LEAGUE TABLE
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