Crewe Vagrants CC 1sts earned a valuable draw in their top-of-the-table clash against Sandyford.
The result gave the visitors a slight points advantage in a closely matched contest, but leaves the league wide open.
After losing an early wicket, Sandyford batters Matthew Taylor (47) and Rory Smith (25) grafted to an impressive 83.
They were both out in quick time to the reliable offies of Faisal Mahmood (5-44).
New batters Benjamin Turnock (35) and Kalhara Senarathne (30) rallied to another promising score of 151 for 3 when the returning pace of brothers Ollie (3-24) and Ben Jarvis (1-46) and a run-out from captain Cal Bacon broke the Sandyford middle order to a less formidable 154 for 7.
The remaining batters managed to reach a competitive 191 before being dismissed in the 50th over.
At 42 for 3 and losing their regular top scorers Rory Kalnins, Ollie Jarvis, and Lew Bacon for peanuts, Crewe faced a rebuild in a game they could not afford to lose.
Nathan Twiddle (25) held an end to support an outstanding display under pressure from coach Sam Youds, whose 76 not out in 74 balls not only saved the game but in the last few overs gained valuable batting points.
A final 163 for 7 saw the game to it’s drawn conclusion with Crewe gaining 11 points to Sandyford’s 13.
Crewe CC 2nds earned another excellent win after winning the toss at Porthill Park and inserting the opposition.
The Crewe early attack economically restricted the home team to a 34 for 2.
The only real resistance was from Porthill’s D Hughes (28) and E Chatfield (also 28) managed a respectable but gettable 119 all out, with 15 overs unused.
Mike Whittingham’s leggies (4-18) topped the bowling, with good spells from Pash Mulbeen (2-20), and one each from Andy Whittingham, Frazier Hoye, Piers Stockton and a single ball from Haveesh Alluri.
In reply, Crewe did not have it all their own way. After losing an early wicket, captain Max Gay (15) and Pun Nidamuri (17) took the score to 41 for 3 before tumbling wickets saw Crewe struggling at 66 for 8.
The arrival of evergreen and man-of-the-match to be Mike Whittingham (30 NO) with able support from Johnathan Bourne (21NO), stemmed the fall of wickets, elegantly reaching the 120 target with many overs to spare.
This weekend Crewe 1sts are away to Meir Heath and the 2nds entertain Little Stoke.
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