URMSTON third team clinched promotion to the Cheshire County League 3rd XI Division One in fine style on Saturday 2nd September.

Needing a victory to ensure outright promotion and to keep in the hunt for the championship Urmston produced some champagne cricket away at Birkenhead Park.

On a helpful wicket Urmston again produced the type of cricket which has made them such a force this season.

Youngsters Rob Skielly and John Brummer asked early questions of the Birkenhead batsmen who had no answers to some penetrative swing and seam bowling.

However it was left to young leg spinner Craig Allison to do the real damage with a devasting spell of leg spinning taking three top order wickets for only 17 runs.

The youngsters were ably assisted by veterans Fildes, Jones and Andy Skelly who helped to skittle Birkenhead for a paltry 82.

With confidence sweeping through the side Urmston got off to a fine in the shape of openers Cooper and Williams.

Cooper in particular showed great courage in facing a hostile opening burst.

Urmston were always in the box and although four wickets were lost the required score was reached comfortably with 20 overs and 6 wickets in hand.

This victory represented a fitting end to a season in which Urmston have consistently performed and have only been beaten twice.

Of particular value has been the emergence of youngsters John Blackburn, James Cooper, Rob Skelly, Richard Partington, Craig Allison and John Brummer.

The first division now beckons although all the indications are that Urmston have the talent to compete at the higher level.

URMSTON third team clinched promotion to the Cheshire County League 3rd XI Division One in fine style on Saturday 2nd September.

Needing a victory to ensure outright promotion and to keep in the hunt for the championship Urmston produced some champagne cricket away at Birkenhead Park.

On a helpful wicket Urmston again produced the type of cricket which has made them such a force this season.

Youngsters Rob Skelly and John Brummer asked early questions of the Birkenhead batsmen who really had no answers.

However it was left to young leg spinner Craig Allison to do the real damage with a devasting spell of leg spinning taking three top order wickets for only 17 runs.

The youngsters were ably assisted by veterans Fildes, Jones and Andy Skelly who helped to skittle Birkenhead for a paltry 82.

With confidence sweeping through the side Urmston got off to a fine start in the shape of openers Cooper and Williams.

Cooper in particular showed great courage in facing a hostile opening burst.

Urmston were always in the box and although four wickets were lost the required score was reached comfortably with 20 overs and 6 wickets in hand.

This victory represented a fitting end to a season in which Urmston have consistently performed and have only been beaten twice.

Of particular value has been the emergence of youngsters John Blackburn, James Cooper, Rob Skelly, Richard Partington, Craig Allison and John Brummer.

The first division now beckons although all the indications are that Urmston have the talent to compete at the higher level.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.