Ather Abid's all-round excellence guides Sandbach to NSSCL Division One triumph

Ather Abid starred with bat and ball as Sandbach secured an eight-wicket win at home against Stone SP seconds in NSSCL Division One.

Abid captured 3-52 in the early part of the contest to help to dismiss Stone SP for 163.

He was aided by Jack Collett and Baber Hussain Agha, who finished with 3-21 and 3-23 respectively.

John Cheadle (48) and Richard Harvey (47) made the most progress with the bat.

Sandbach had few concerns in knocking off that target as Abid eased them past the post inside 28 overs.

Abid walked off unbeaten on 90 having hit 13 fours and two sixes along the way.

Support came in the form of Ben Collett’s 37 as Sandbach banked their first win of the campaign.

Bignall End made it two wins out of two with victory over Cheadle seconds.

Visitors Cheadle won the toss and elected to bat, but found themselves in trouble on 76-7, despite Scott Harvey making 28.

But there was some much-needed late resistance as Ryan Elwell’s 43 not out and Matthew Degg’s 30 guided them to 169-8 from their 40 overs.

George Harding scooped 4-14 and there were a couple of wickets for Martin Dawson.

Former Durham man Harding then turned his attention to batting matters to lead Bignall End to the points.

Harding struck 12 fours in his 82 to form the backbone of his side’s successful chase.

Jon Maskrey (33) and Ahsam Zaroof (32) were also in fine fettle as Bignall End completed a four-wicket win with more than three overs to spare.

Ben Degg and Jack Winfield snared a couple of victims apiece.

Hem Heath also recorded back-to-back victories as they saw off the challenge of Oakamoor.

It was away side Oakamoor who took first use and they managed to post 143 all out.

That marked a recovery from 84-8 as Adam Keates made 45, Callum Lowe chipped in with 29 not out, Matt Wolff made 16 and Paul Hammersley weighed in with 13.

Ben Lucas (5-15) did the bulk of the damage with the ball for Hem Heath, while Rob Price helped himself to 3-30. There were also two wickets for Ben Topley.

Hem Heath were soon celebrating a six-wicket triumph as they overhauled their rivals in the 31st over.

Nazakat Ali top-scored with 49, with Matthew Rogerson (35) and Muhammad Afzaal (27no) also impressing. Rashmika Mewan claimed a couple of wickets for Oakamoor.

Porthill Park seconds are the other side to boast an unblemished record after two weekends following their home success against Barlaston.

Half-centuries from Jake Plummer and Blake Blumeris enabled Porthill Park to reach 208-7 at the halfway point.

Plummer hit one four and six sixes in his 61, with Blumeris’ unbeaten 56 featuring seven fours as they put on 111 for the fourth wicket.

Dan Hancock made 23 at the top of the order, with Jack Davies (3-39) taking the bowling plaudits for the visitors.

Brian Sims (47) and Leigh Matthews (28no) led Barlaston’s post-tea reply.

But their efforts were not enough as Adam Ralphs’ 5-31 and 3-33 from Tom Kesteven saw them dismissed for 152.

Rode Park & Lawton had a productive day on the road as they returned from Endon with the points.

Zia Ul Haq Parwani’s 76 was the mainstay of Rode Park & Lawton’s 193-9 from their 40 overs.

Parwani hit 10 fours and one six with Paul Chadwick (26) lending valuable support.

Josh Tittensor and Ed Smith ended up with 4-16 and 3-32 respectively.

Endon made a decent start, reaching 56-2, but their challenge then fell away.

Simon Tucker (27) and Oliver Rogerson (21) impressed, but the home side were skittled for 99.

Jack Harrison captured 4-25 and Parwani completed a fine individual day by taking 3-17.

Blythe had a super Saturday as they sealed a five-wicket win at home against Meir Heath.

They were set 159 to win - and took less than 30 overs to knock off the runs. That was thanks to Hamza Shirzad (38), Sam Baugh (37), Muhammad Salman Hanif (19), Ben sharp (18) and Chris Gask (17no).

Maz Akhtar and Asim Ali took a couple of wickets apiece.

Zak Hill had earlier top-scored with 51 in Meir Heath’s 158 all out.

He hit five fours and one six, with Ahsan Javed (28) and Abid Hussain (24) also making starts.

Baugh scooped 3-20 and there were double strikes from Peter Finch, Junaid Ali and Shirzad.