An improving Nantwich CC side secured another victor, this time away at Bramhall, to move fifth in the Cheshire County Premier League.
In a game of twists and turns, Nantwich triumphed by 15 runs.
Nantwich elected to bat first, while Bramhall attack bowlers Danny Lamb and Matt Higginbottom both looking threatening.
But as the wickets tumbled at a steady pace, it was Nantwich’s Irish international Niall O’Brien who helped the visitors to a healthy target.
O’Brien survived some early scares and several dropped catches to go on and hit 107 runs before he was caught off the bowling of Iftikhar Naseer.
At this stage, Nantwich were 217-4 and a score in excess of 300 looked on.
However, Naseer and Higginbottom saw Nantwich crumble to 247 all out in 49 overs, with some poor batting in the lower order.
But Bramhall’s reply started off badly, as they lost their top three batsmen for just five runs.
Captain Nick Cantello and keeper Sam Johnson restored some pride for the hosts and began to build a decent total.
Johnson was eventually run out after a mix up for 48, having put on 80 runs with his captain.
The duo mixed the occasional boundary with some good running, and just about kept the required run rate to a manageable level.
Naseer came in and decided acceleration was required, and smashed the ball to all parts in an aggressive few overs.
He passed fifty in rapid time and helped the hosts reach 190-4.
Nantwich brought on Luke Robinson who made an immediate impact by taking a swift return catch from Naseer, removing the dangerman for 80.
Tight bowling by the left arm spin of Griffiths, combined with the control of their seamers, hampered the Bramhall batsmen.
They scrambled to 224-9, with overs still remaining, but then captain Cantello was caught leg before by Jimmy Warrington to give Nantwich all the points.
Nantwich CC will entertain bottom club Bowdon at Whitehouse Lane this Saturday, July 15, from 12.30pm.
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