Hem Heath are crowned NSSCL Premier A champions as Cheadle are relegated

Liam Banks top-scored with 75 as Hem Heath retained the NSSCL Premier A title by beating Porthill Park.
-Credit: (Image: Malcolm Hart)


Hem Heath held their nerve to clinch back-to-back NSSCL Premier A titles by defeating fellow hopefuls Porthill Park.

Greg Prime’s side had won their first-ever top-flight crown last summer - and made sure that the trophy will be staying at Trentham Lakes for a another 12 months thanks to a three-wicket success.

The defeat scuppered Porthill Park’s chances of finishing top, while second-placed Leek’s victory at Cheadle ultimately proved to be in vain.

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However, that loss for Cheadle saw them relegated from Premier A by a point after Audley saved themselves in the nick of time by winning at Checkley.

All eyes were on matters at Hem Heath at the start of the day, though, as the defending champions and day’s table-toppers took on their third-placed visitors.

Porthill Park skipper Louis Allison won the toss and elected to bat before he forged an opening stand of 59 with John Hancock.

Allison fell for 28, but the vastly-experienced Hancock anchored matters from the visitors’ perspective.

He made 51, hitting five fours, but when he was the fifth wicket to fall, with the score on 117, there were only nine overs remaining.

That meant Porthill Park needed a late injection of pace to help them towards a competitive total to keep their title hopes intact.

And it came in the shape of all-rounder Ben Cotton, who went into overdrive as he smashed a 34-ball 65 not out to lead Porthill Park to 206-5 from their 45 overs.

Cotton plundered three fours and seven sixes in his knock, with Jack Kesteven (22no) keeping him company.

Spinner Callum Leese finished with 3-24, with home skipper Greg Prime claiming a couple of scalps.

Sam Wilcox made 34 not out and hit the winning runs to secure the NSSCL Premier A title for Hem Heath.
Sam Wilcox made 34 not out and hit the winning runs to secure the NSSCL Premier A title for Hem Heath. -Credit:Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel

That target would have posed a tricky test at any time of the season, let alone with the destination of the title on the line.

However, Hem Heath were given a flying start by Liam Banks to settle any early nerves in the home camp.

Banks hit seven fours and four sixes in a rapid 75 to leave Hem Heath sitting pretty.

But as with many a final-day match in the past, there was always going to be twists and turns before the outcome was decided.

Banks was joined by Leese (20) in guiding the hosts to 121-2... but both fell in quick succession without addition to the score.

Kurtis Lally made 11, but he was bowled by evergreen seamer Craig Barker, who then dismissed EJ Laverty next ball.

That left Hem Heath on 141-6 - which would have piqued the interest of Leek, who were well on their way to winning at Cheadle.

Zephryn Hunte’s 23 enabled Hem Heath to progress to 183, before he became the seventh wicket to fall.

Sam Wilcox was keeping a cool head while Porthill Park attempted to fight back - and captain Prime belatedly joined the action at number nine.

Overs were not an issue at this point - and the Hem Heath pair chipped away at the target as the tension increased.

Prime made 11 not out, but it was Wilcox who had the honour of clinching the title when he hit Nick Bailey for four to finish unbeaten on 34 to get the Hem Heath party started.

Zen Malik made 89 not out in Leek's win against Cheadle.
Zen Malik made 89 not out in Leek's win against Cheadle. -Credit:Stoke Sentinel / Reach PLC

Cheadle were relegated after losing their home encounter to Leek.

The hosts knew that victory would guarantee their safety, regardless of Audley’s result.

However, if Audley won, they would need nine points to preserve their status. As it happened, they only managed to bank seven.

Cheadle found themselves in early trouble on 33-3, but their innings was revived by a 140-run stand for the fourth wicket between captain Andy Coxon and Matthew Goodwin.

Coxon hit 77, which included 10 fours and one six, with Goodwin’s 71 featuring eight boundaries and two sixes.

That partnership helped Cheadle to close their 45 overs on 179-7. Tom Moulton picked up 4-31 and there were a couple of wickets for Josh Hudson.

Leek were reduced to 38-2 in their run chase but, like their rivals, found a key stand to put them back on track.

Zen Malik and Shamsur Rahman orchestrated proceedings with half-centuries to set Leek on the road to the points.

Malik finished unbeaten on 89, hitting 11 fours and two sixes, with Rahman striking four boundaries and one maximum in his 56.

Rahman fell late in the day - but the destination of the title had already been decided - before Leek completed a seven-wicket success.

That result was bad news for Cheadle's second team, who have won Division One and were set to step up to Premier B next season.

However, league rules state: 'Clubs will not be allowed to have two teams playing in the same Division in the Premier Divisions A or B. In the event of this, the lower ranked team will be moved the Division below'.

That means Cheadle seconds will remain in Division One.

Audley stayed up by a point after winning at Checkley.

Checkley knew that with a fair weather forecast that their title hopes were over following last weekend’s loss at Moddershall & Oulton.

Home side Checkley took first use and were dismissed for 146, with Richard Cooper and Clark Haddrell - both promoted up the order - making 41 and 31 respectively.

Jack Redman’s 4-14 was backed up by Ed Jones (3-31) and Faizan Riaz (3-32) for Audley.

The visitors then wasted little time in knocking off the runs as they needed just 22 overs to bank a five-wicket success.

Oliver Wilde top-scored with 58, which contained nine fours. Riaz followed up his bowling exploits with 52. His innings included five fours and one six.

Nils Priestley took 3-16 late in the day, but Audley were well on their way to a season-saving victory when he struck.