Cheshire Independent Issue 217

AUGUST 2026 20 Independent LOCAL SPORT LOCAL CRICKET ROUND-UP LONG-TIME leaders of the Cheshire County Cricket League Premier Division, Didsbury, suffered rare defeat in a top of the table clash with Nantwich. Nantwich moved into sec- ond place after a resounding five-wicket home win in a high scoring clash. Having been put in first, Didsbury piled on the runs and made 344/8. Joe Cooke (84) and Robert Sehmi (81) had a partnership of 171 and James Green weighed in with 48. But Nantwich pair Ali Chughtai and Rob Jones took a real liking to the Didsbury attack and put on a match-winning partnership of 228. Chughtai smashed 18 fours and seven maximums in his 149 with Jones hitting 22 fours in his 130. Hyde, who had a comfort- able seven-wicket win over Lindow, are the new divi- sion leaders. Alderley Edge won a tight run chase, beating Timper- ley by three wickets. Batting first Timperley made 297/9 from their 50 overs with Zach Thompson (127) and Ed Gal- ley (71) sharing a partner- ship of 118. Keeper Henry Murray helped Alderley Edge across the line with 119 in his team’s reply of 300/7. Bramhall were beaten by 94 runs at Brooklands. The home side posted 305 all out (Ben Cunliffe 89 and Kevin Carroll 128 off 67 balls). Bramhall were dismissed for 211. Openers Dan Brown (53) and Ashley Burton (51) were the main contributors as Cheadle posted 266 all out. Opponents Chester Boughton were restricted to 225/9, thanks mainly to Josh Dooler (4-42) and Dan Brown (3-43). In Division One, Bollington maintained second spot with a 32-run win at Sale. Bolling- ton opening pair Andrej Yak- sender and skipper Richard Hough put on 204 for the first wicket. Yaksender made 137 off 125 balls and Hough made 61 in Bollington’s 286/9. Sale’s Tyrone Lawrence had impressive figures of 7-59 but his side fell short as they were bowled out for 254. Alex Thompson made an unbeaten 103 but it was not enough to prevent Maccles- field falling to a six-wicket defeat at Marple. Maccles- field posted 222/8 but Jack Feilen’s 102 helped Marple to victory. Stockport Georgians pushed leaders Widnes all the way before falling to a 41-run defeat. Widnes posted 290/6 while Georgians replied with 249/6 (Francis Yates 81 and Ben Staniforth 78). Bowdon had a comforta- ble 121-run win over bottom club Urmston. Bowdon’s top scorers were Jack Tipton (73), Ashwin Sharma (70 no) and Joe Chapple (52). In Division Two, Romi- ley had a 21-run home win over Cheadle Hulme. Ans Muhammad (57) and Brodie Richardson (61) top scored in Romiley’s 263/8. Despite 69 from Jordan Potts, Chea- dle Hulme fell short on 242 all out. Second bottom Middle- wich (150 ao) were beaten by Bredbury St Marks (151-5) while Stockport were beaten by three wickets at home to Runcorn. Hale Barns kept third spot in the table with a five-wicket win over Irby. Stockport Trinity held onto second place in Division One with a 39-run win over Old Parkonians in a low-scoring clash. Trinity must have feared the worse when they were shot out for just 92 but Lincoln Kellett (5-5) and Matt Royle (4-27) bowled them to victory. Bottom club Northwich lost their 12th game of the season, losing by 81-runs at Over Peover. Bowdon Vale lost by one wicket at West- minster Park. Division Two leaders Holmes Chapel (174/9) beat Hawk Green (116 ao) while Division Three side Winsford (130 ao) stay second bottom after being comfortably beaten by Frodsham (210/7). In the North Staffs and South Cheshire League Divi- sion One, Congleton (216/9) lost at home to Porthill Park (217/6) while Division Two bottom club Sandbach suf- fered their 10th loss of the season away at Eccleshall. of coaches and players. We’ve been in contact over the off-season and I feel like we’re more aligned than we have ever been. “Then it comes down to the doing and our actions. It’s having a purpose and finding love of the process and being here for the last four weeks and seeing everything start to take shape has been the most cathartic bit of it all.” Alex says his biggest indica- tor of a group fully focused on success was the “incredible” condition his players returned in after their summer break. “From day one they were here to get fitter, not to get fit,”Alex said.“That was some- thing we were clear on at the end of last season with them – that there was a level of fit- ness that theyhad toattain for us to play in the style that we want to play going forward. “To a man, they’ve come in phenomenally fit, and that makes our job easier because we can focus on the rugby and less on the conditioning.” The new Gallagher PREM season kicks off on Saturday 26th September when Bristol Bears head to the CorpAcq Stadium. MACCLESFIELD FC’s major shareholder Robert Smethurst has formally decided to resign as a Director of the Cheshire club after a tumultuous two months which saw the businessman arrested and suspended from his duties in June. A club statement made “with the consent of Rob- ert Smethurst” confirmed his resignation, but said he would remain as a shareholder. It said: “Macclesfield FC can confirm that Rob has formally decided to resign as a Director. “We respect the fact that Rob has other personal inter- ests away from the Football Club, and by accepting his resignation, he is able to spend more time pursu- ing these. “This administrative change has been pro- cessed and is now officially updated on the Companies House register. “The Club wishes to clar- ify that while Rob steps down from his day-to-day governance on the Board of Directors, he will remain a Shareholder. “In this capacity, we look forward to Rob’s continued backing as we get ready for an exciting new sea- son ahead.” June’s turmoil followed a season of drama at the phoenix club who defeated FA Cup holders Crystal Palace in January, but then narrowly missed out on an expected promotion from National League North, after a disappointing play off defeat to Kidderminster Harriers in May. Smethurst initially resigned after being arrested in nearby Wilmslow for “coercive control”. In an emotional Face- book Live video, Smethurst blamed his wife and new investors he brought to the club. Smethurst admitted he only bought the club in 2020 when he was in the grip of alcohol addiction, and on a four-day drinking binge, bought Macclesfield FC, without a plan as to what to do with it. He then appointed former Wales international Robbie Savage as manager and the reformed club climbed through the non-league pyr- amid with successive promo- tions, galvanised the town behind Smethurst, all while a fly-on-the-wall BBC TV crew captured key moments. However, even in the flurry of renewed interest after the defeat of Crystal Palace in January 2026 , Smethurst has quietly relin- quished ownership. As of February 2026 he MACCLESFIELD FC have announced that JBGass have formed a new partnership with the Silkmen ahead of the 2026/27 season. Having witnessed the Club’s success to date first-hand, initially with pro- motion to the Enterprise National League North and progressing to the Fourth Round of the Emirates FA Cup, local solicitors JBGass haveagreed tobecome long- termpartners of theSilkmen. Focusing primarily on the local community in the exceptional day-to-day ser- vice which they provide, JBGass have assured the Silkmen of their support for at least the next two years. PREMIER LEADERS FIND IT TOUGH AT THE TOP Sharks relishing new campaign THE off-season is always an important period in the time- line of a rugby season. For Sharks Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson it was about taking time out to spend time with his family, “decompress” and deal with thepainof a season that failed to hit the heights of his previ- ous four at the helm. But now all eyes are look- ing forward and, bolstered by a host of new faces includ- ing England internationals Courtney Lawes and Joe Marchant, Alex says he’s feel- ing“as invigorated as I’ve ever felt in any environment.” Andwithanewgamemodel based on adding attacking flair to physical dominance being fine-tuned with every session at Carrington, there’s every reason for Sharks fans to share his optimism that this one could be a season to remember. “Given the time that we’ve hadoff,I’vebeenabletoration- alise and deal with the pain of last season, and then box that away through planning and getting to know new players andcoaches,”Alex said. “The break was essential because this role is so intense. It’s relentless in terms of being weighed and measured and having to perform week in, week out. You need a break to be able to take a holistic view on what you need to improve on both individually and as a group. “That takes weeks. You have to decompress, reflect and then look forward. I’ve done that with a core group Robert Smethurst has resigned fromTown’s Board of Directors SMETHURST RESIGNS Man who rescued Macc steps down after turbulent summer Partnership deal and Sarah Jane Smethurst are no longer persons with significant control, that per- son is now Amarjit Singh Grewal the owner of fashion brand Bench, referred to at the club as Ama Singh. According to the website the shareholding is: Robert Smethurst 17.8%, Sarah- Jane Smethurst 17.8%, Ama Singh (ASG Holdings Jersey Ltd) 41.0%, Dan Stuttard (Westwood Holdings Ltd) 12.5%, Jonathan Bull 4%, Darren Wright 5%, Robbie Savage 1.9%. Earlier this year the Silk- men welcomed a new inves- tor Darren Wright, founder and CEO of freight and logis- tics business Allseas. To advertise in the Independent, contact Robin Atkins on 07767 840274