Schools match of the week: Cheadle Hulme School v Manchester Grammar School

Batting masterclass from Roy guides MGS to victory over their Manchester rivals

A wonderful century from Aaryaman Roy was the difference as Manchester Grammar School defeated Cheadle Hulme School by 82 runs.

Sunny days have been hard to find in Cheadle this summer but this match between two of Manchester's strongest cricket schools was treated to bright sunshine and the rain stayed away.

The home side won the toss and opted to bowl first. Despite the bright conditions the pitch was still quite soft from rain in the week leading up to the game but Cheadle were hoping the sun would dry out the wicket and make it more pleasant to bat on in the second innings.

MGS began their innings tentatively and lost their first wicket after 8.5 overs with only 29 on the board. Daniel Adams was run out following some brilliant work from wicketkeeper Lucas Newton, who collected a wayward Rishi Bhanderi throw with one hand and in the same motion swivelled to remove the bails.

George Bell came to the crease alongside Roy and the pair put on 76 together before Bell was bowled by the dangerous leg-spin of Archie Tittle for 43.

Captain Alec Makin was the next man in the middle. While Roy passed 50 and continued to play with poise and composure, Makin put on a brutal display of power-hitting, targeting the short straight boundaries and motoring to his half century in very quick time.

Off the penultimate ball of the innings, Roy ran three to take him to his well-deserved century. He ended on 101 not out off 142 balls scoring 10 fours and one six.

Makin returned to the pavilion with his team mate undefeated with 91 off 51 balls.

MGS posted an imposing 256 for 3 from their 45 overs.

Cheadle begun in a very similar style to their opponents. They were careful not to lose early wickets and found themselves on only eight after five overs. But soon after the wickets started to fall, and Cheadle lost both openers with 24 on the board.

Captain Ollie Latter (44 off 50) batted with intent but none of the top order could remain alongside him for any serious length of time before he was bowled by Arav Shetty.

George Poyser was the main man to do the damage for MGS, taking three wickets at a cost of only 22 runs from his four overs. Cheadle struggled to score freely off his leg breaks in the middle overs as he was able to put his fielders out with no restrictions.

Tittle (18 off 19), Bhanderi (34 off 44) and White (20 off 20) dug in but Cheadle were never able to take control of the game.

Harry Sellwood (11 off 15) provided some final resistance but after he was run out by Daniel Adams at the non-strikers end Bhanderi was stumped the next ball.

Cheadle Hulme were all out for 174, losing by 82 runs.

1st XI coach, Karl Brown, was pleased with his side’s performance despite the result.

"We bowled alright, we contained them in the first 20 overs but then they got away after that." Said the former Lancashire player.

"Roy’s innings was really mature and well-paced. He assessed the conditions really well and set the innings up for the last 10 overs with wickets in hand.

"It was an old-fashioned way of playing but really effective in these conditions. It was a match-winning knock.

"Looking at the season as a whole we have competed in most games but because of the weather we haven’t been able to get into any sort of rhythm."

But the future is bright at Cheadle Hulme, with several younger players starting to break into the first team.

"We have an exciting player called Jack Bridgeman who has been involved with the 1st XI already. He is currently in year nine and is a real hard-hitting batsman who bowls as well. He's involved in the Cheshire system so we're hoping he can move into the 1st XI next summer.

"We also have Archie Vaughan [son of former England captain, Michael Vaughan] and Joe Chappell. They are real talents who will go a long way in the game."

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