1XI Match Report vs Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge Away:
Vale's 1XI were eager to bounce back from last week's narrow defeat to Lymm as they traveled to Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge. Despite mixed weather, Captain Power won the toss and chose to bowl first. Tom Ollier and Nigel Halsall delivered a bowling masterclass, with Halsall quickly dismissing the two openers and Ollier taking a brilliant caught and bowled, claiming the prized wicket of Ladybridge's overseas player, Liam Whitaker, for 11, leaving Ladybridge at 22-3.
A rapid succession of wickets followed for Vale. Halsall and Ollier dispatched Evans, Massey, Daniel and Phil Sarbutts, Daniel Wood, and Amith Karuvath for 6, 3, 1, 0, 1, and 0, respectively, reducing Ladybridge to 32-9 off 22 overs. After a brief drinks break, Max Lloyd needed just four balls (the first one being a wide) to finish the innings by removing Seeli for 0, thus bowling Ladybridge out for 33. It was a stellar performance from the bowlers: Ollier took 3-22 off 11 overs, Halsall took 6-10 off 11 overs, and Lloyd took 1-1 off 0.3 overs.
Vale’s batting response started disastrously. Opener Gupta was dismissed for 0 off 3 balls, and Captain Power, after hitting his first ball for 4, was caught and bowled by Callum Evans on the very next delivery. Louis Power and Ben Langley attempted to stabilize the innings, bringing Vale to 18-4 before both were dismissed in quick succession for 7 and 5, respectively. John Ollier and Nomaan Hasan briefly resisted, but Hasan, after hitting a 6, was caught in the deep for 9, and Ollier was also caught for 1, leaving Vale at 29-7 following Tom Robinson's dismissal for 0.
Despite the tense atmosphere, Pankaj Meshram and Max Lloyd secured the victory for Vale, ensuring a win by 3 wickets and a return to winning ways.
2XI Match Report vs Rostherne at home:
Vale's 2XI aimed to maintain their unbeaten start to the season as they hosted Rostherne. Captain Graeme Stacey won the toss and opted to bat first. However, the innings began poorly with in-form Ian Johnson dismissed for 0. Pete Williamson and Steve Bottomley attempted to rebuild, but Williamson was out for 16. Bottomley managed to score 34, but the rest of the lineup faltered with Mathai, Copeland, Gupta, Roberts, and Stacey scoring 4, 1, 0, 7, and 0 respectively. Harry Young added 17, but Vale were bowled out for a mere 94 in 39.1 overs.
After tea, Vale needed a strong start to defend the low total. Trivedi took 2 wickets and Arthur Wilson took 1, but it wasn't enough as Rostherne reached 96/3, securing the win with 10 overs to spare.
