Jonathan Fowler powered Timperley CC to a famous Cheshire Cup win on the Wirral.

The 6ft 4ins South African bowler turned his hand to the bat to hit 45 to see the first team home in the penultimate over.

Skipper Ed Galley was in awe of the number nine who he said showed “great bottle” to win the tie with his quickfire knock.

Galley said: “It was a great comeback for the Timperley firsts who were well beaten against a strong Hyde team 24 hours earlier. After losing our first wicket at Hyde for 41,we suffered some pretty soft dismissals.

“We did eventually get up to 139 in what was a below-par score, but at least left us something to bowl at.

“Despite a few early breakthroughs with the ball leaving Hyde 60-3, they ended up comfortably chasing down our total within 31 overs. “

It was a very strong XI at Oxton the following day - and good enough to see Timperley bounce back and see them through to the quarter-finals.

Oxton finished on 185 off their 40 overs, with Leicestershire captain, Lewis Hill, batting exceptionally with 88 for the home side.

Galley went on: “Our chase stagnated massively, despite some good hitting from newly-promoted Ollie Byrne. This left us needing a normally very daunting nine an over with eight wickets down.

“However, when your number nine is Jono Fowler, a 6ft 4ins monster South African with Aidan Markram’s bat, no target is safe.

“Our opening bowler, in his third season with us, then proceeded to deposit bombs left, right and centre across the ground to take the boys home in a great game of cricket.

“It was a serious effort from the South African who yet again showed great bottle in a chase, with 45 off 19 balls to win the game with an over to spare.”

Meanwhile, club stalwart Rob Matthews celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary in style with a top score of 54 as the Timperley second team got back to winning ways with a convincing 71-run victory over Macclesfield.

Watched by wife Karen, Matthews was all smiles after outscoring sons Jamie and Tom, who each scored 16 for the first team at Hyde.

Karen said: “At least one of them will be in a good mood tonight. Maybe I will be getting a present for our anniversary, you never know!”

Matt Fletcher chipped in with a solid 35 off 34 bowls, and although skipper Shahnawaz Khan was ducked again, he made up for his disappointment by being the pick of the bowlers with a top return of 3-21.