Kothari's masterclass nets stunning win for Alsager...

YASH Kothari stole the show as Alsager completed a remarkable run chase to win their NSSCL Premier A encounter at Hem Heath.

- Chris Travers

In a breathless start to the second half of the contest, Alsager looked to be heading towards a heavy defeat as they slid to 17-6 in pursuit of the home side’s 229-8.

Staffordshire all-rounder Liam Banks took four wickets in four balls - accounting for Sean Price, Asif Raza, Aqeel Ahmed and Sam Goodwin - to seemingly decide the outcome.

But Kothari had other ideas as he dug in firstly alongside Manraj Johal, who made 37 and Pierce Pickford (24).

Even so, Banks’ final haul of 6-38 left Alsager 109-8, but Kothari wasn't about to throw in the towel.

He put on 94 for the ninth wicket with Oliver Mitchell (17), who departed with the score on 203.

However, Kothari motored past three figures and finished on 131 not out as Alsager completed a one-wicket triumph.

Kothari hit 23 fours and three sixes in his innings, and had a willing ally in Khalid Jamal at the end. Jamal didn’t manage to score a run, but held an end up for nine deliveries to enable his team-mate to finish the mission.

Earlier in the day, Hem Heath captain Greg Prime top-scored with 88 in his side’s tally. Prime’s knock featured nine fours and one six.

Sam Wilcox (34no), Zephryn Hunte (29), Banks (23) and Matthew Hodson (17) also played their parts with the bat.

Raza took 3-38 for the visitors and Kothari grabbed a couple of scalps before embarking on a stunning salvage operation to ultimately earn his side the spoils.

Alsager remain bottom of the table, but are now just nine points from safety.

Second-from-bottom Meakins banked their first home league win of the summer by thrashing Bagnall Norton.

Hosts Meakins made serene progress to 276-7 declared from 52 overs at Ivy House Road.