Round up of the NSSCL action in Divisions Seven and Eight

Sandbach seconds held their nerve to beat Hem Heath fourths by three runs in NSSCL Division Seven.

Andy Ford’s 50 not out, which included four fours and one six, plus 27 from Ryan Swanston, helped Sandbach to 141 all out.

Jack Sanders picked up 3-32 and there were two wickets for Muhammad Rahim and Mark Sanders.

Will Sanders replied with 34, but Hem Heath were restricted to 138-9 when stumps were drawn.

Jasper Tang helped himself to 3-22 and four wickets were shared by Ryan and Cailan Swanston.

Market Drayton had a far easier afternoon as they easily defeated Betley seconds.

Hosts Market Drayton made 142-8 from their 40 overs, in which Chris Edwards top-scored with an unbeaten 45. Andrew Nicholson (29) and Nigel Wellings (21) lent valuable support, while Liam Cheetham picked up 3-18.

Neil Nixon also scooped two wickets and then made 10 not out in Betley’s reply.

But that was the principal contribution as Betley were skittled for 30.

Devon Fisher (3-2), Matthew Smith (3-5) and Ethan Allman (3-15) all captured three wickets.

Wedgwood seconds were in fine fettle to win their home game against Stafford fourths.

Muhammad Yasoob Zafar compiled 78 not out, featuring eight boundaries, to form the backbone of Wedgwood’s 218-6.

Tom Smith (44), Ash Turner (22) and Ellis Roberts (21no) also starred with the bat. Shaun Cooper took two of the wickets to fall.

Jason Baker responded with 31, but Stafford were bowled out for 86.

Marcelle Souce’s 3-29, plus double strikes from Usamah Mazhar, Tom Smith and Roberts guided Wedgwood to a sixth straight win.

Kidsgrove seconds banked a three-wicket success at Audley thirds.

Richard Beckett’s 68, which included 12 fours, was the main effort in Audley’s 108 all out.

Their hopes of a higher total were dented, though, by Ash Hall’s 5-7 and 3-22 from Mark Challinor.

Ole Mayer-Davies and Beckett shared four wickets on the resumption, but Grove crossed the line thanks to Lee Oliver’s unbeaten 46.

Hanford seconds pocketed the points at home against Porthill Park fifths.

Hanford stuck 198 all out on the board in the early stages, courtesy of Usama Idrees’ 81 and Shayan Hussain’s 80.

Aarush Vellaturi claimed 5-17, including a hat-trick, with Sam McCambridge adding 3-39.

Joshua Wakefield made 40 not out in the run chase, but Porthill Park closed on 146-9 as Aaqib Shamim and Raheemullah Qadri snared 3-9 and 3-27 respectively.

· CREWE seconds wn by four runs against Cheadle fourths in NSSCL Division Eight.

Max Gay’s unbeaten 41 helped Crewe to reach 148-5 at the halfway stage of the match.

Cheadle slumped to 54-8 in reply, before Paul Shaw (81) led a recovery.

But despite hitting 11 fours and four sixes, Shaw’s efforts were in vain as Cheadle closed on 144-8.

Newcastle & Hartshill fourths easily beat Church Eaton seconds.

Ben Fullwood’s 52, 41 from Peter Leighton and 28 from Tom Graves, led Castle to 220-9. Stephen Taylor took 3-58.

In reply, Church Eaton were bowled out for 55 as Tommy Pinnell scooped 4-12.

Little Stoke thirds had few concerns in seeing off Oakamoor fourths.

Darren Irving’s 69 was the main effort in Little Stoke’s 180-9.

Oakamoor were then bowled out for 71 after tea.

Checkley thirds saw Lorcan Potts compiled 70 not out in their 169-4 against Stone SP fourths.

And that proved to be more than enough as Stone SP fell to 47 all out in their chase.