Allen plays vital innings before bowlers send Checkley top

CHECKLEY are the new NSSCL Premier A leaders after thrashing Hem Heath in their weekend meeting.

- Chris Travers NSSCL Premier A

Previous table-toppers Leek were undone in a topsy-turvy encounter at Porthill Park, which enabled Checkley to leap to the summit and open up a seven-point lead at the halfway point of the summer.

Checkley took first use on their visit to Trentham Lakes and saw James Abbotts make 46 up front.

However, it required a half-century from middle-order exponent Michael Allen to ultimately guide them to 196 all out.

Allen hit 13 fours in his 72 to leave the visitors with a defendable total.

EJ Laverty and Ben Topley picked up 3-35 and 3-36 respectively for Hem Heath, while there were a couple of scalps for Tom Hodson.

Hem Heath opener Matthew Hodson made 12, but Checkley began chipping away at their lineup.

Oscar Bradshaw (16) and Callum Leese (13) offered some resistance, but Hem Heath were routed for 63.

Spinner Nils Priestley captured 3-7 with experienced seamer Richard Cooper weighing in with 3-12.

New-ball duo Deepak Dhapola and Charlie Lewis shared the other four wickets to fall.

Leek were beaten at Porthill Park, despite putting themselves in with a chance of pulling off an unlikely win.

Porthill Park made excellent progress to 110-2 as they pursued Leek’s 146 all out at the Old County.

Tom Steele made 51, which contained seven fours and three sixes, with John Hancock adding 23.

Louis Allison chipped in with 18, but from their position of strength, Porthill Park tumbled to 120-7 thanks to Ross Dearden's 3-21.

But the home side managed to rediscover their composure and Yohan Maddege contributed 27 not out to steer them to a three-wicket triumph.

Rory Haydon and Lewis Moulton also claimed a couple of wickets apiece for Leek.