WILMSLOW Cricket Club’s first XI are gathering momentum.

They visit second-bottom Stretton in Warrington on Saturday having followed up a draw against high-fliers Oakmere with a much-needed win against mid-table Middlewich at the Rectory at the weekend.

Starring once again was Elliot Rowe, 75 runs and 4-32, in the Cheshire League Division Two clash.

Adnan Arshad, Toby Rowe and Adam Dixon all made good starts with 20s in a total of 196-4 that promised a result, given a fast outfield and short boundaries.

Off spinner Rowe was encouragingly backed up by all his fellow bowlers, with Tim Opie recording figures of 3-36 and Jake Woodhouse, 2-31.

Mohd Faisal, meanwhile, is continuing his dominance after being promoted to opening the batting for the second XI against Didsbury almost a fortnight ago.

He scored his maiden 50 in that game, followed on the Sunday by his first ton and then 150.

That weekend’s tally of 213 was undefeated and his unbeaten 266 partnership with Glen Jackson, 78no in the draw at Bredbury, goes into the record books.

Unfortunately, despite good and gutsy performances which included ‘Faz’ hitting 74no at Brooklands at the weekend was not enough to avoid defeat.

The total of 206 proved to be about 100 light as the home side knocked it off for three wickets.

Meanwhile, Lindow fist XI’s eight-game winning streak ended at Upcast Lane on Saturday as they could not get the final Runcorn wicket.

After losing Rob Herriott early, Lindow piled on the runs as Atiq Uz-Zaman got 50 and Grant Waldron (106 not out) scored his first century for the club.

Well supported by Alex Matthews (44) and Major Khan (25), the home side declared on 294-7 off 45 overs.

With the visitors 88-6 in reply it looked like Lindow were heading for nine wins in a row, but a 101-run seventh wicket partnership for Runcorn meant that time was running out.

Tim Young finished his overs with 4-57 and it was left to skipper Ben Tyler (3-41) to bowl the final over with Runcorn on 209-9.

They had to settle for a frustrating draw, but will take some comfort as the result keeps them top of the Cheshire County Cricket League Division Two table.

Saturday was equally frustrating for Lindow’s seconds who lost away to Heaton Mersey.

Lindow scored a solid 212-8, with Andy Hume (57) and Liam Howarth (33) top scoring.

In reply the home side’s first wicket partnership of 99 made it hard for Lindow and despite 3-60 from Matt Ramsden, Heaton Mersey won by six wickets.

The defeat sees Lindow slip to second but still well in the hunt for promotion.

Lindow’s thirds made it six league wins in a row with victory at home to Mellor.

The visitors were dismissed for 123 with 4-20 from Mike Bufton and two wickets each for Paul Wilson and Ben Hamilton-Ryan.

Lindow’s reply was led by captain Hassan Mahmood (37) and seen home by Charlie Hodge (21 not out) and Mike Bufton (32 not out) for a six-wicket win.