1stXI Win Opening Twenty20 Group Game

The 1stXI got off to a perfect start in their UKFast CCL Twenty20 Cup group with a win over fellow Division 1 outfit Cheadle Hulme at the DASC. Boasting five members of the Poynton side which won the trophy in 2018, the Jets will be keen to build on this with fixtures against Wilmslow and Prestbury to come.

Jake Reynolds won the toss and elected to bat on a sunny evening, Chris Williams (16) taking two boundaries from the opening over in a perfect start. Cheadle Hulme are a strong side though and the innings was a nip and tuck affair until the latter stages with an unbroken stand of 60 between Will Ritchie (12*) and Sam Waller (50*) elevating North East to a strong position at 149-5.

Waller cleared the ropes four times in his half century, the highlight an impudent ramp shot over third man which carried the distance. Meanwhile there was the seemingly obligatory 20 for overseas Charlie Dahlenburg whilst the pick for the visitors was Whitehouse’s 2-19 who bounced back well after an expensive opening over.

The Jets then strangled the response in the fading light, the third over a wicket maiden for Danny Williams (2-19) after he knocked out the off stump of Potts. Boundaries were at a premium and the pressure told with a pair of well-executed runouts to put the hosts well on top.

Only a hard-hitting cameo from Nauman Akram (51) threatened but, when he was well caught by Jake Reynolds backpedalling at mid-off, the Cheadle Hulme innings meandered to a close at 124-6.

Scorecard