Cumberbatch and Hopkins play star roles in Knypersley’s NSSCL Division One win

Dominic Cumberbatch and Liam Hopkins were Knypersley’s heroes as they joined forces to set up their NSSCL Division One win at Whitmore.

The Knype duo claimed five wickets apiece as they instigated a Whitmore collapse from 71-1 to 99 all out in their weekend meeting.

Young spinner Cumberbatch picked up his maiden first-team five-for with 5-28, while Hopkins captured 5-37.

Danyal Hussain had earlier given Whitmore a handy start with 57, which contained 10 fours, while Osman Ilyas chipped in with 16.

But Cumberbatch and Hopkins then went to work to put the visitors in the driving seat.

It wasn’t all straightforward for Knypersley on the resumption as they fell to 73-5, despite Muhammad Naveed’s 31.

There were no alarms thereafter, though, as Darren Butler (28no) and Jacob Cumberbatch (14no) saw Knype to a five-wicket victory. Jalat Khan claimed 3-25.

The day’s leaders Burslem dropped down to third place following a weather-affected draw at Norton in Hales.

Norton in Hales took first use and posted 165-9 from their 55 overs.

Dane Tinsley’s 56, which included eight fours, led their batting bid, aided by 30 from Jack Furnival.

Michael Brown scooped 3-32 and there were double strikes from Shaun Rashid and Ash Shaw.

Alex Gilson (31) and Liam Pattison (20) starred after tea, but Burslem were rocking on 63-6 from 29.3 overs when the elements intervened.

Chris Dyer took 3-20 for the hosts, with Keshan Chandrasekara Mudiyanselage adding two wickets.

Meakins are the new table-toppers after they thumped Blythe at Ivy House Road.

Meakins showed off their batting prowess to reach 289-7 declared from 53 overs on Saturday.

Jack Hammond provided some late entertainment with an unbeaten 58, which contained nine fours and two sixes.

It was his team-mates further up the order who enabled him to play so freely as openers Karl High and Peter Wilshaw made 51 and 50 respectively.

Sam Moores (32) and Michael Hill (25) were also in decent nick, backed up by 20 apiece from Simon Mugava and Alex Graham.

Limar Pierce and Junaid Ali shared four of the wickets to fall.

In reply, it was only Ali (49) and Ben Sharp (40) who managed to get to grips with the hosts’ attack. Blythe were eventually bowled out for 131 as High snared 3-32, Umega Chaturanga added 3-20 and there were two victims for Hill.

Newcastle & Hartshill are in second, just a point off the top, following their comfortable win at home against struggling Sandbach.

Muhammad Qamar Khan compiled 119, hitting 16 fours and one six, to lay the foundations for Castle’s imposing 281-4 declared.

Harry Ford lent support with 50, while Rich Hagan (49no) and Lakshan Rodrigo (42) kept the scoreboard ticking over. Ben Guildford claimed two wickets.

Hagan then demonstrated his all-round skills with 5-32, and with Dan Gibbs helping himself to 4-40, Sandbach were skittled for 140.

Ravishka Wijesiri (45) and Jack Taylor (29) offered some resistance, but the Cheshire side were well beaten.

Leycett cruised to an eight-wicket home success against Wood Lane.

Visitors Wood Lane crumbled to 91 all out as Tom Warburton (3-15) and Dan Redfern (3-26) made merry with the ball.

Jake Thompson (29) and Jamie Loska (12) made double-figure contributions for Wood Lane. Leycett didn’t have too many issues in knocking off the runs as Chris Sheperd struck 44 not out and Redfern stroked an unbeaten 33.

Ashcombe Park had the better of their home draw against Caverswall.

Ashcombe Park amassed 281-7 as three players made half-centuries.

David Proffitt was the frontrunner with 87, featuring 16 fours, backed up by Amer Siddique’s 54 and Hamaiz Mahmood’s 50.

Proffitt shared a second-wicket stand of 106 with Siddique before putting on 81 for the third with Mahmood. Thomas Caton grabbed 3-74 for Caverswall.

The visitors, currently bottom of the table, showed fighting spirit to at least earn a share of the points.

An opening stand of 152 between Greg Phillips (80) and Craig Grimley (71) ensured they would earn some reward.

However, a tilt at winning was never really on the cards and Caverswall drew stumps on 188-6. Jacob Johnson helped himself to 4-27.

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