Dahlenburg Century Leads 1stXI to Victory at Port Sunlight

A classy century from overseas player Charlie Dahlenburg vaulted the 1stXI into 4th place in Division 1 as all four senior sides reach the halfway point in the 2019 season in the top half of their respective divisions. 

Port Sunlight v 1stXI

The long trip to Port Sunlight was a worthwhile one for the 1stXI as they collected 25pts on a muggy afternoon on the Wirral peninsula. The 1stXI batting topped 200 for the third time in four games thanks to a first hundred from Australian Charlie Dahlenburgh who anchored the innings with a quality 105 (14x4, 0x6, 126b) mixing defence and attack in equal measure.

He combined with Jack Airey (50) to add 115 runs for the second wicket against a probing seam attack which belied the hosts lowly league position. With the middle order all chipping in with run-a-ball innings the Jets finally totalled 204-6 which looked a good score when Toby Carson (2-44) immediately removed opposition overseas Tyler Smith for a duck.

After a brief break for a thunderstorm, North East worked hard for the wicket of the dangerous Simon Melberzs who briefly threatened to cut loose. The departure of the home skipper for 48, mistiming Danny Williams (3-33) to Dave Oldfield at midwicket, was the signal for the 1stXI to turn the screw with Jamie Henderson (4-26) finding his rhythm to dismiss the hosts for 135 as the final seven wickets fell for just 20 runs.

Scorecard

2ndXI v Appleton

A similar performance from a much-changed team secured a second win over Appleton in as many weeks as the Jets twos continue their title charge. The returning Simon Hare (4-5) bowled metronomically to return a pair of wickets at both the start and end of the innings, whilst left arm spinners Michael Gilmour (3-13) and Andy Hadfield (2-21) shared five scalps in the middle overs.

As a sign of the 2ndXI’s dominance this season, 87 to win represented their largest run chase of to date but one that was completed in uncompromising fashion. Matt Wragg smashed a rapid 56* (9x4, 1x6, 38b) to lead the Jets home inside 11 overs for a 9-wicket win, his third half-century of the year whilst James Banner again collected a red-inker.

Scorecard

3rdXI v Urmston

Sadly Urmston were a no-show on Jackson’s Edge, conceding to the 3rdXI who pocket maximum points but miss out on what has been a rare Saturday of good weather in 2019.

Ashton-on-Mersey v 4thXI

On Sunday the 4thXI made the trip to The Beets to face Ashton on Mersey and retained top spot thanks to a strong bowling display. On one of the best batting grounds in the county they sent the hosts back for 131 with Andy Heath (4-14) and Fran Turnbull (3-4) sharing 7 of the wickets to fall.

As has been the case for much of the 4s season, the runs were a family affair as Bowdens Chester (40) and Rob (37) formed the backbone of a comfortable 7-wicket win. The addition of a brisk 23* from Max Ferguson meant the Jets knocked the runs off in under half their allocation to maintain their narrow advantage over second place Lindow.

Scorecard