Erratic Elworth form frustrates

NORTH STAFFS SOUTH CHESHIRE LEAGUE PREMIER B

- BY RON DAVIES

FOLLOWING the excellent win at Leycett there was optimism at Elworth prior to the visit of Cheadle, surprisingly relegated from the Premier A in 2024 after a third-place finish in 2023.

The visitors are amongst the favourites for promotion and their display on Saturday demonstrated their credentials, they brushed the Foxes aside moving into second place.

Elworth remain sixth, only 33 points off the promotion places although they are 28 points behind Burslem in fifth place. Just seven points span the top five.

A run of form for the Foxes can still propel them into the shake-up.

Akex Banks won the toss and put Cheadle in and, although Jarrod McKay removed Sam Cliffe (13), superbly caught inches from the turf at first slip by Chris Regan with the score on 19, this ushered in a match-winning partnership between Andrew Coxon (39) and Alfie Bonehill (76).

The latter scored two thirds of the 110 runs the pair added in 25 overs. He rode some luck but overall showed why he is in Staffordshire’s plans.

He hits strongly square of the wicket, is also prolific through mid-wicket and hit 15 fours.

Coxon, an experienced player who also had several seasons with Checkley, gave firm support, losing few opportunities for singles or twos in the cover area or towards third-man.

The Foxes remained alert in the hot weather and McKay was posing some questions, yet the Cheadle pair were largely unperturbed as Banks shuffled his pack.

None of the Elworth bowlers were severely collared although Bethan Robinson was on the receiving end of some decisive attacking play from Bonehill.

In the space of two overs he hit five fours, two behind square leg and two through mid-wicket as Robinson’s line faltered.