THE Groves are plotting a sequel to last season’s Great Escape!
The Ellesmere Port side mounted a late charge at the end of the 2011 campaign to steer themselves clear of the relegation zone and preserve their place in the Meller Braggins League.
Now they are ready to repeat the trick.
Saturday’s victory over fellow strugglers Stretton propelled Groves out of the bottom two and up to eighth place in the Division Three table.
They now look to be virtually safe from the drop – and a win over Pott Shrigley at Chester Road this Saturday (12.30pm) would make absolutely sure of it.
Club skipper Martin Flanagan said: “The Stretton game was massive. We stepped up and did the job the way we planned it. We stuck to our plans, worked hard and everyone contributed in some way.
“Our fate is now in our own hands as we’re out of the bottom two. If we win this weekend we’ll definitely be safe. It won’t be easy and we need to perform at the level we have for the last two weeks.”
With a strong team available at Stretton, Flanagan had no hesitation in opting to bat after winning the toss as the wicket was good and the weather was glorious.
There were useful early contributions from Mike Garvey (36) and Byron Ward (40) but the visitors dipped to 65-3.
However, Flanagan (30) led a recovery before Daz Green (43no) and Tony King (22no) carried their side through to 192-6 from their 45 overs.
Damian Walters (5-31) was Groves’ key man in the second innings. His five-wicket haul had Stretton reeling, but there was still work to do as Mistry chipped in with a defiant 74.
Skipper Flanagan (2-23) eventually got rid of the Stretton danger man and the hosts were all out for 137 (Mike Garvey 2-6).
Ellesmere Port suffered a heavy defeat at Trinity in Division One of the Cheshire Alliance.
Batting first, the hosts made 166 before Port crumbled to just 53 in reply.
They go into the final game of the season, at mid-table Appleton this Saturday, with a cushion of 16 points between themselves and the relegation zone.
