Sherriff shoots down Caverswall as Silverdale turn the tables in NSSCL Premier B

Silverdale snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as they secured a four-run win at Caverswall in NSSCL Premier B.

Caverswall, who were set 116 for the points, were 111-7 in their chase – and seemingly on course to open their campaign with a win.

Eklavya Gupta (31), Sabah Ghaus (18) and Lewis Wright (15) left them tantalisingly close to the winning line.

But they then lost their last three wickets without addition to the score to slip to defeat.

Ethan Sherriff was the star man with the ball for Dale, taking 4-22, while Muhammad Chaudary and Syed Bukhari both claimed two wickets.

Adil Ibrahim had earlier top-scored with 41 for Silverdale in their 115 all out.

Hassan Khalid captured 3-30 for the home side, with Brandon Philpott-Hughes and Gupta sharing four scalps.

Caverswall then looked to be on their way to success, but the tables turned in dramatic fashion late in proceedings.

Whitmore were grateful to father and son Lee and Oliver Johnson for seeing them to a one-wicket triumph at Leycett.

Whitmore were set 124 for the points, but the outcome was on a knife-edge when they sipped to 110-9.

Ryan Roberts (33) and Caleb Mierkalns (30) made the most progress with the bat,while Matt Johnson, Tom Warburton and Ben Shirley all scooped two wickets.

That meant either side were still hunting glory, but it was Whitmore who prevailed.

Son Oliver took the lead with 10 not out, while dad Lee played a handy support role with an unbeaten eight.

Leycett’s 123-9 from their 45 overs earlier in the afternoon had been centred around Richard Walker’s 33 and an unbeaten 31 from Amaan Tariq.

Lee Johnson preceded his batting heroics with 3-29 and there was a double strike from Matt McAll.

Newcastle & Hartshill’s Rohan Vallabhaneni compiled an opening-day century in his side’s easy win at home against Elworth.

Vallabhaneni, aged 17, showcased his talent with a chanceless 111 to form the backbone of Castle’s imposing 236-9 from their allocation.

He hit 12 fours and five sixes in his 95-ball knock and he shared a second-wicket stand of 98 with skipper Jonathon Gidman.

Gidman was also in fine fettle, adding 51 to the tally, an innings which featured two fours.

Castle, a top tip to challenge for promotion this summer, then restricted Elworth to 159-9 in their reply.

Harry Newton top-scored with 39 not out and there were decent efforts from Edward Parrish (22), Ash Rogers (17) and Adam Taylor (16).

However, Elworth, relegated from the top flight at the end of last summer, couldn’t find any significant momentum in their response.

Their progress was checked by Jack Wilson and Harry Bailey, who finished with 3-22 and 3-27 respectively.

Eccleshall, the other side to drop out of the Premier in 2023, also made a losing start to the new programme as they were beaten at Wood Lane.

Wood Lane took first use on home turf and managed to find their way to 167 all out.

Jake Thompson (47), Eddie Visser (33no) and Danny Brierley (32) were the mainstays of the hosts’ innings.

Ejaz Nawaz (3-27) and Rhys Owens (3-28) shared the bowling plaudits for Eccleshall.

Lewis Evans (36no), Greg Clark (20) and 19 apiece from Ben Rogerson and Dan Byatt, led Eccleshall’s victory bid.

But they were defeated as they eventually fell to 130 all out as Visser, Richie Jervis, Richard Hassall and Omar Ali shared eight of the wickets to fall.

Promoted Alsager made an early statement of their intent as they comfortably won on their visit to Norton in Hales.

James Bloor played a captain’s innings in the formative stages of the innings to guide his team to 143-9 from their 45 overs.

Bloor struck 70 not out, hitting six fours and two sixes, in a well-crafted 127-ball innings.

Greg Phillips lent support with 23, with Sam Goodwin chipping in with 21.

Jack Furnival scooped 4-33 for the home side, while Aaron Thomason picked up a couple of victims.

Norton in Hales’ run chase turned into a nightmare as they were routed for just 38.

Alsager took a firm grip on matters early on and never relinquished the pressure on their hosts.

Phillips helped himself to 4-4, with Asif Raza adding 4-9. Tom Bason took the other two wickets to fall.

Ashcombe Park are up and running after week one as they returned from Knypersley with the points.

Home side Knypersley batted first, but could only manage to post 116-7 from their 45 overs.

Mitchell Edwards led the way with 32, with support coming from Michael Dodd (16), Munir Ur Rehman Tanzil (15) and Paul Goodwin (14).

Ashcombe Park skipper Anis Raza bowled impressively to take 4-17.

Ashcombe Park didn’t have too many concerns in wrapping up matters, clinching a six-wicket success with more than 13 overs to spare.

Riecko Parker-Cole hit three fours and three sixes in his match-winning 41 not out.

Hamaiz Mahmood and Tom Ball chipped in with 21 and 16 respectively, while Liam Hopkins took a couple of wickets.