Crewe Vagrants CC produced strong performances across the men’s and women’s sides with the Sunday XI continuing their impressive unbeaten run.
The 1st XI endured a frustrating afternoon against Silverdale, eventually falling to a 37-run defeat after chasing 174.
Crewe looked in control early on thanks to a devastating spell from Faisal Mahmood, whose outstanding figures of 5-13 reduced the visitors to 68-6.
However, a crucial 87-run seventh wicket partnership swung momentum back in Silverdale’s favour as they recovered to post 173-7 from their 40 overs.
In reply, Crewe never quite managed to build the partnerships needed to stay with the required rate despite solid contributions from Rory Kalnins (40) and Ryan Briddon (24).
Regular wickets halted any momentum and the hosts were eventually bowled out for 136 in 35.3 overs.
The 2nd XI also found batting conditions difficult in their fixture against Market Drayton.
After a disciplined bowling display restricted the hosts to 160 all out in 38.5 overs, Crewe would have fancied their chances at the halfway stage.
Haveesh Alluri was the standout performer with an excellent 4-18, well supported by Tom Harding (3-25) and Frazier Hoye (2-27).
Unfortunately, Crewe struggled to gain any fluency in the chase and were dismissed for 89.
Piers Stockton top scored with 27, but wickets fell too regularly for the innings to ever properly settle.
The standout result of the weekend came from Crewe’s Sunday 1st XI, who secured a superb 26-run victory over a strong Stoke Tamil CC side to maintain their unbeaten record.
Batting first, Crewe battled to 99 all out from 33.1 overs, with Sam Keene leading the way with 20, while Josh Adams (16) and debutant Andy Whitehurst (15) made valuable contributions.
In reply, Haveesh Alluri (4-12) and Mark Bourne (4-26) ripped through the Stoke Tamil batting line-up as the visitors were bowled out for just 73 in 17.1 overs.
The victory was made more memorable with debuts handed to Akshay Raghu and Andy Whitehurst, both making positive early impressions for the Vagrants.
On the women’s side, Crewe Vagrants continued their strong start to the season with a convincing 51-run win over Alsager in Division 6 of the Cheshire Women’s Cricket League.
Batting first, Crewe posted 121 all out from 13.1 overs, led by an excellent innings from Chloe Manock, who top scored with 43.
She was well supported throughout the innings by Lisa Taylor (16), Jess Kimberley (17) and Sheila Walker-Hulse (19) as Crewe kept the scoreboard moving consistently.
Alsager were then restricted to 70-5 from their 16 overs thanks to a disciplined all-round bowling performance.
Manock capped an excellent individual display with remarkable figures of 2-2 from her two overs, while Bela Smith (1-5) and Rosie Meakin (1-12) also chipped in with wickets to secure another strong win for the women’s side.
