CRICKETERS at Oakmere are hoping they have more than one reason to throw a party come Monday morning.
All three senior sides at the Northwich club can end the campaign with a piece of silverware if results go their way.
The men’s first team, already guaranteed to be promoted to the Cheshire League’s top-flight after four years outside of it, will step back up as champions if they beat Wilmslow.
Craig Phelan’s men suffered only their second defeat of a remarkable campaign at Irby last weekend but they still have a 64-point advantage over Stockport Trinity with three games left.
Meanwhile the second XI at Overdale Lane have their sights set on a victory in the T20 Cup final on Sunday.
They take on league rivals Port Sunlight, who start as favourites after winning both Division A fixtures between the teams this term, on neutral territory at Heaton Mersey.
“We never imagined we’d reach this stage at the start of the year,” said captain Pete Hutchinson.
“However our performances in the field have made the difference and whether we’ve bowled first or second we’ve put teams under pressure.
“Lifting a trophy would cap a fantastic season, particularly as it’s been a while since Oakmere won any silverware.”
They have won five games already to reach this stage, although back-to-back defeats in the league against Lymm and then Irby in the past fortnight have disrupted momentum.
However a victory against Mobberley tomorrow would sent them into the final with renewed optimism.
A target for Oakmere’s ladies is to take another step towards retaining their Cheshire Women’s League crown when they host Chester Boughton Hall on Sunday.
They start that contest three points clear of Appleton, opponents they defeated by nine wickets in a rain-interrupted encounter last time out.
The Warrington outfit host Didsbury this weekend.
However with two games left, Oakmere have destiny in their hands.
What is happening, and when
Saturday, September 1
UKFast Cheshire Cricket League (from Midday)
Division Two
Wilmslow v Oakmere
Division A
Oakmere 2nd v Mobberley 2nd
Sunday, September 2
UKFast Cheshire Cricket League (from Midday)
Second XI T20 Cup
Final
At Heaton Mersey
Port Sunlight 2nd v Oakmere 2nd
Cheshire Women’s League
Divisions One/Two (from 1.30pm)
Oakmere v Chester Boughton Hall
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