A heroic knock from Andrew Jackson couldn’t prevent Hyde slipping to defeat against Cheshire County Cricket League leaders Didsbury at Werneth Low on Saturday.
Batting at number 9, he came to the crease with the home side floundering on 41-7 in an innings where only Luke Young and Ryan O’Brien had reached double figures.
Although Charlie Harris and wicket keeper Adam Worrall soon became Liam Booth’s fourth and fifth victims, Jackson shielded last man Liam Bowe from the onslaught in clubbing 79 runs off just 48 balls, including a spectacular cluster of eight sixes.
He single-handedly took Hyde from 72-9 to 132-all out, with Aussie bowler Bowe closing on 0-not out after facing only four deliveries in the final six overs.
The visitors rarely looked like slipping up in their modest chase.
Thomas Hafil carried his bat for 46 in a stubborn two-hour stint, and although Bowe took 3-42 in his spell with the ball, Didsbury cantered to their target in 32.2 overs.
The five-wicket win means Didsbury extend their lead at the top of the table to 18 points.
Last season’s champions Nantwich are now Didsbury’s closest challengers after taking a maximum 24 points against Neston, while Hyde are a point further back in 3rd with seven games left to play.
The two sides face each other at Nantwich next Saturday.
