Cheshire County League: John Gibbon hits century as Tattenhall hold high-flying Brooklands

Aug 11 2011 by Paul Wheelock, Chester Chronicle

JOHN Gibbon stepped up to the plate as Tattenhall gave Brooklands a real run for their money.

The Sale outfit arrived at the Flacca as the team to catch in Division Two, but they slipped to second after being battered by Gibbon’s first Saturday century in more than a decade.

After John Hope (17) came and went, the big lefty strode out to the crease with intent. He dispatched his first ball for four and continued in the same vein following the dismissal of Sebastian Street (38).

With the score on Nelson’s dreaded number, Gibbon hauled the hosts up from 111-2 to 232-5dec with a wonderful 105no from 107 balls, Tom Hyslop (38) offering support.

The game stood in the balance when Brooklands needed 30 from five overs for the win, but they had to settle for a draw as the impressive Street (5-64) and Rob Mulvihill (2-50) restricted them to 216-8.

Not for the first time poor batting cost relegation-threatened MALPAS dear as they suffered a six-wicket home loss to new leaders Upton.

With the exception of Rob Ward, who batted for 146 minutes and 110 balls for his 52, the Malpas top order failed to perform as Upton eased to 141-4 (Mark Goldsmith 2-39) in reply to 136.

Malpas 2nds won a thriller on Saturday at home to Upton 2nds, who were stopped eight runs short on 220 (Simon Swift 3-47, Martin Punnett 3-54) chasing 228-8dec (Tom Coates-Harman 66).