IN what was previewed as a top of the table clash, the weather put paid to any thoughts of an exciting contest, and the spoils were shared by both teams, although Wilmslow take more away from the game than MV.

In wet and overcast conditions, Rob Parker won the toss and put Wilmslow into field on what looked like a slow green wicket.

The opening bowling partnership of Howard Lund and Darren Park appeared to exploit the conditions with darting deliveries hopping at the batsmen and also leaving the batsmen perilously close to the outside edge.

Unfortunately, the good bowling was littered by too many loose deliveries which allowed the Wilmslow batsmen to get set, expecially Harding who went on to get 79.

Although the bowling was loose at times, chances were created, but unfortunately put down with Rob Parker and Duncan Eckersall, normally the safe and mobile slip cordon, spilled regulation chances, and with other chances falling just out of the fielders reach, MV were not having the luck they deserved.

It was not until Lund found an outside edge and it somehow stuck in Eckersall's hand that MV looked a more daunting proposition.

Two more wickets with catches to debutant Sandip Chauhan, left the game evenly poised with Wilmslow 62 for 3.

A flurry of runs from MV old boy Mike Mesrie, and the now in control, although riding his luck, Harding, pushed Wilmslow along and picking crucial batting bonus points.

The introduction of Ian Leather, saved from his normal opening slot, paid dividends as he returned figures of 5 for 47, by far the best return of the season.

As the conditions started to turn, and the rain consistently falling, the bowlers struggled to get any grip on the ball and wayward deliveries were once again punished.

As the 48 overs were completed, Wilmslow finished on 180 for 8, which gave maximum batting points, and a total whilst not daunting, was going to be a difficult task.

With the confidence of a 88 opening partnership the previous week, Lund and Eckersall strolled to the wicket in dark overcast conditions, with the rain starting to fall.

A poor start to proceedings when Lund threw his wicket away with a loose cut to a long hop, put MV on the back foot.

Andy Colley came to the wicket and looked in majestic form.

His clean hitting of the ball saw the Wilmslow team immediately go on the defensive with the once close fielders now sweeping on the boundary.

Eckersall at the other end was looking solid and carefuly watching the ball.

Unfortunately the one he didn't watch was one that Mesrie got to dart back at him and he was caught at first slip off his glove.

This brought Chauhan to the crease, of who high things are expected.

Whilst initially on his back foot and unsure of the bowling he soon started to exert himself on the Wilmslow bowling.

Colley was also looking solid until a dubious decision by the umpire gave Colley out off either LBW or caught behind, although the ball hit the top of his thigh pad.

With the rain now streaming down, Darren Park entered the fray.

The new partnership was blossoming and never looked in trouble with Park setting himself for the anchor role and Chauhan playing some glorious shots.

The game was very evenly poised at 50 for 3, when the heavens opened and the umpires, who to their credit had stayed out in awful conditions, decided that the rain was too heavy.

The players came off and never got back out.

This was a disappointing end to what promised to be an exciting encounter.

As far as the points go, Wilmslow came out on with 12 points, MV picking up only 4 and therefore losing their top spot.

Wilmslow CC 2nd XI 128/9 v Trafford MV 2nd XI 35/0

Match Abandoned.

THE second team were denied a probable victory against leading team Wilmslow when incessant rain brought the game to a halt early.

MV lost the toss and Wilmslow surprisingly elected to bat first with good bowling displays from Coates and Maguire to such an extent that only one run came off the bat in the first eight overs, and after 15 overs Wilmslow were only 17/1.

Wilmslow recovered and ended up with 128/9.

After tea MV decided to go on the offensive to try to short circuit the worsening weather.

Unfortunately this was to no avail and the proceedings were stopped with the score on 43 for 0 with Kenyon and Hope looking in good form.

Trafford MV 1st XI 140/8 v Maer & Westlands 1st XI 74 a.o.

MV'S 1st XI cup campaign started much as the early season league form has gone with a fairly convincing victory over Maer & Westlands.

After travelling down south in what was not very favourable cricketing conditions, Rob Parker with a much changed team from Saturday, lost the toss and MV were put in to bat.

A gamble to promote the unorthodox batting of Ian Walsh to the opening slot was not the most astute decision of the day as the first wicket fell with the score on 8.

Fortunately for MV Rob Ladd at the other end was looking once again in supreme form, and held the innings together as wickets fell at the other end.

Sandip Chauhan showed promise and was out to an excellent catch, and Rob Parker, whilst not scoring prolifically, was an able ally for Ladd.

After Parker fell and Dave Kenyon had been and gone Darren Park came to the crease and played the type of innings that all know he is capable of, but seldom shows.

Skilful placing of the ball and powerful driving of the ball less than 6 inches off the floor, was the batting highlight of the day.

His 45 not out in poor conditions on a favourable bowling wicket, was worth much more, and enabled MV to post a score of 140 for 8, which although does not sound a great score, it was certainly going to take some getting.

MV opened with Park and Ian Leather, fresh from his five wicket haul from the previous day.

In Leather's second over he took out Lyon's middle stump, and did the same to Melvin's the following over.

This excellent tight bowling left Maer & Westlands at 13 for 2 after 10 overs, and the 140 seemed a long way off.

The introduction of John Crane into the attack saw the run rate increase slightly, although many chances were created by Crane.

Leather continued to bowl his tight spell, when in his 7th over he took his 3rd wicket and in his final over another two to end up with figures of 5 for 6 and a weekend return of 10 foro 53.

With the only resistance coming from Burton with 38, the rest of the wickets were shared out between Park, Crane, Walsh, Steve Haughton and Chauhan.

There was also an excellent display from stand in keeper Dave Moore, and the usual flurry of byes that MV have been used to this season was kept down to 0.

This was another good victory for and keeps the excellent early season form going.

Trafford MV 3rd XI 102/8 v Stretham CC 100 a.o.

Sunday 21 May 2000 saw the long awaited first fixture of the season for the MV Sunday side.

A good victory with good performances with the bat from Nigel Adams and Bruce Cowies and excellent bowling from 16 year old Paul Hodgson.

Mini cricket has started at the club, and children from the ages of 6 upwards are invited from 10.30 every Sunday morning.

Contact Neil Gallagher on 282 8979.

Trafford are currently trying to organise women's cricket.

For further information contact Carol Ingam on 865 9352.

For all the latest news on the club, visit our website at www.traffordmv.com.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.