The 1st XI rounded off their season in style with a thumping 25 point win on Saturday at a damp Heaton Mersey. Mersey asked BCC to bat first in an attempt to quickly get the 3 wickets required to guarantee their safety.
Their first wicket came promptly, but then Sean O’ Neill joined the composed Matt Hughes and the pair added 74, before the latter was caught for 45. A lengthy rain delay followed, reducing the match to 77 overs in total.
Upon resumption, Hughes started to open up and played some quality shots in passing 50 for the second consecutive week. His wicket was the fourth to fall at 128, out for 55, but Matthew Jamieson took the reins as he played another destructive innings.
Adding 62 with Andy Robertson and 38 with Jack Harris, Jamieson hit the ball to all parts before he was bowled for 78 from 61 balls and in sight of a first BCC century. Skipper Nick Cantello declared the innings immediately, and Bramhall had reached 228-6 from their 46.4 overs.
Although they had already ensured their safety, Heaton Mersey set off positively in their innings. However on a pitch that offered Nick Bell and Andy Robertson just enough assistance, they were soon in trouble. Bell, in particular was causing all sorts of problems and wickets fell regularly in between some attacking strokes. Mersey were soon on the rack at 103-9 and although they added 36 for the 10th wicket, Bell ended proceedings with 4 overs remaining. He ended with the excellent figures of 7-59, and Robertson played his part with 3-79… though was unlucky not to get 5 wickets for a few less runs.
It was an enjoyable end to a solid season and it’s hoped that the team will develop into a title challenging outfit in 2012.
