Cheshire Independent Issue 219

OCTOBER 2026 20 Independent LOCAL SPORT LOCAL CRICKET ROUND-UP A DANK and distinctly autumnal final Satur- day saw Cheadle get the better of opponents Nantwich, and the ele- ments, to record a bril- liant first-ever Cheshire County Cricket League Premier Division title. But nothing stopped the delirious celebrations at Kingsway as Cheadle won the Premier Division after a 17-run win on DLS over Nantwich, who were denied a seventh PD crown at the last gasp. After defeat at White- house Lane at the end of June, Josh Dooler’s men drew their next four matches before an amazing run of seven straight wins powered them to their first- ever title. Remarkably, apart from the first two weeks of the season when they were joint-leaders with several other clubs, the last day was the only time Cheadle were top of the table. AdamDool- er’s 26 was the top score in Cheadle’s 122 off 45.1. It looked a modest target for Nantwich to chase but they were to find run scoring no easier as the bustling, skilled Cheadle attack, backed by superb fielding, took a grip of the game. When the key wicket of Luke Robinson fell, it was 35-4 in the 17th over, and from that point Nantwich got further and further behind. With the weather closing in again, a becalmed Rob Jones (33* off 73 ) was left high and dry as the umpires took the players off, Nantwich some way behind the DLS par at 84-7 in the 39th over. The umpires twice attempted a restart but the rain would not desist, with the match offi- cially abandoned. Cheadle realised their dream and celebrated long into the night. For a side that, since Covid, have twice been rel- egated from and promoted to the Prem, this was an astounding achievement. Brooklands and Bram- hall were the two clubs rel- egated to Division One. The final day of the Divi- sion One season was a ‘dead rubber’, with all the key matters already settled. Champions Bollington didn’t exactly sign off in style as they tumbled to a rapid 8 wkt loss at Stock- port Georgians, skittled for just 75 inside 20 overs with the match concluded inside 30. Widnes marked their return to the Prem with an entertaining win over Macclesfield. Urmston and Avanley were relegated. An extraordinary, dra- matic, and for some, heart- breaking conclusion to the Division Two campaign saw Haslington clinch the title and a first-ever eleva- tion to Division One. They did their last-day job with great efficiency, bowling out Tattenhall for just 115 before skipper Ben Instead fittingly hit the winning boundary to start the cel- ebrations at Clay Lane. Haslington it was who were crowned champions, the only time this season they had been top of the league. Upton’s loss not only meant that the longtime table top- pers missed out on the title. Grappenhall and Ashley were relegated. Ashton-on-Mersey duly wrapped up the Division Three title and secured an immediate return to Divi- sion Two, their 16-run DLS victory over Hale Barns also ending HB’s chances of their own promotion. AFTER a tumultuous sum- mer of change, Maccles- field Rugby Club began life in Regional 1 North West with a bonus-point victory over newly pro- moted Dronfield, running out 46-28 winners at Pri- ory Park. The fixture was an intrigu- ing opening day contest between two clubs enter- ing unfamiliar territory. Dronfield arrived buoyed by promotion and an upward trajectory, while Maccles- field found themselves in the division after their controver- sial relegation following the club’s refusal to participate in National Two West, despite finishing third in National Two North last season. The summer had been anything but straightfor- ward for the Blues. Director of Rugby Matt Coleridge and Head Coach Rhys Davies were tasked with rebuild- ing a squad stripped of 27 departing players, making this opening fixture a first real opportunity to assess a vastly reshaped group. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the contest often resembled two sides still finding their feet. Errors were plentiful, cohe- sion intermittent, but there were enough flashes of quality to suggest both clubs will have plenty to offer this season. Dronfield took an early 7-0 lead before Jennings responded with a try. Dron- field again lead 14-5 but Macc closed the gap to 14-12 with a try from Connolly, converted by Harper. Morgan’s try put the home side ahead at Dronfield. Three minutes later Macclesfield struck again as Talbot fin- ished under the posts to lead 26-14 at half time. Harper nudged Macclesfield further ahead with a penalty on 45 minutes to make it 29-14 and create breathing space. Dronfield hit back to reduce the gap to 29-21. The changes injected fresh energy into the home side. Macclesfield built sustained pressure inside the visitors’ 22, only to lose pos- session in contact inches short of the line in a moment that summed up a frustratingly error- strewn afternoon. The fourth try eventually arrived on 63 min- utes with Connolly crossing in the corner for his second try of the afternoon. The decisive moment came on 72 minutes when Blackwell crossed to extend Maccles- field’s advantage. Moments later Dronfield’s hopes of securing a losing bonus point disappeared. Attempting to play ambi- tiously from deep following a lineout, the visitors saw a pass intercepted, allowing Blackwell to race away for his second try on his first appear- ance as club captain. Director of Rugby Matt Coleridge reflected on an emo- tional opening-day victory: “Time will tell what kind of a result this was as the league settles down, but primarily today we were just delighted with the five points after such a tough sum- mer of transition. “I thought the lads fought hard out there for each other and gelled well despite so many new faces. We were clunky at the lineout and forced it a bit in attack at times, but gener- ally it was positive. “It was a bit of an emotional one for Rhys and Steve [Bur- nage] and myself after all that has gone on. Those two certainly pulled me back from the edge a bit when I was done with rugby after everything that happened. “We’re off and running now and just looking forward to every game. There were some excellent debutants out there, some old heads and some lads who have fought hard to get into the side, so it was really great to see that blend.” MACCLESFIELD FC’s promotion hopes have been handed a major tonic by the return to fitness and form of Danny Elliott. The Silkmen’s star striker suffered a horrific anterior cruciate ligament injury against Buxton on Boxing Day which kept him out for the remainder of last season. Elliott has spent almost eight months on the treat- ment table, which saw the 30-year-old miss the Silk- men’s famous FA Cup third round win against Crystal Palace. Following successful surgery, Danny commenced a gruelling rehabilitation programme devoting hours in the gym – including on his honeymoon – to get back ahead of schedule. To avoid risking a relapse, Elliott has gradually been introduced from the bench this season to devastat- ing effect. Coming on as a 45th min- ute substitute with Macc trailing at Darlington, the Silkmen’s ace marksman bagged a second half brace to seal a 2-1 victory. Elliott followed that up with another goal off the bench against Hebburn Town, his sensa- tional half-volley rounding off a 3-0 triumph. Now fit enough to start, Elliott has netted in Mac- clesfield’s FA Cup second round qualifier win at Red- car Athletic, followed by a 25-yard free-kick winner to see off Harborough Town in the league. Elliott has now notched five goals in ten appear- ances despite only being used sparingly so far this campaign, impressively averaging a goal every 72 minutes. His return to form is timely given the Silkmen’s stuttering Sep- tember results due to a raft of injuries and suspensions. After returning to win- ning ways against Harbor- ough, Macc sat second in the National League North table, two points behind leaders Hereford who visit the Leasing.com stadium on 24 October. A year ago, the Silkmen languished in 14th, 12 points adrift of South Shields in first place which highlights Cheadle CC celebrate winning the Cheshire County Cricket League Premier Division title for the !rst time (Image: Cheadle CC) JUST CHAMPION! Title winners for first time Blues off to winning start Maccles!eld’s new signing Ed Ikpakwu (Image: Maccles!eld Town) DAN’S THE MAN Silkmen star striker hits the goal trail how far the team has come since then. However, man- ager John Rooney has chal- lenged his players to find extra gears and more con- sistency if they are to sustain a promotion push. “It was one of our worst performances (the 1-0 win against Harborough), but the pleasing thing was to get the three points with a clean sheet. The lads found a way to get over the line, but the performance was nowhere near the levels we expect. I think it’s a mentality thing, we 100% lose a game like that last season, but the lads have a good togetherness about them and dig in for each other,” reflected Rooney. “Points wise has been really good, performances wise we know there’s still a lot more to come, but this is a results business and we’re managing to get results over the line,” he added. Meanwhile, Macclesfield have signed utility player Ed Ikpakwu after a spell training with the club. The 25-year-old former Manches- ter City youngster, who most recently represented AFC Telford United and Lan- caster City, can operate in central defence and midfield. Ikpakwu will provide cover as the Silkmen battle an injury crisis. Full-backs Luke Matheson, Lincoln McFayden and Luis Lacey are out for the foreseeable future and they have been joined on the sidelines by forward Adan George. By Ben Carey, The Silkmen News