Glazebury ease fears of the drop to leave Rylands still in relegation trouble

A TENSE finish in the evening gloom at Hurst Lane saw in-form Glazebury beat Rylands in a crucial relegation battle with only 10 balls remaining.

The home side’s fourth win from five matches improved their position in Cheshire Cricket Alliance Division One, while their neighbours have ground to make up to get out of trouble.

Dave Mason, 27, gave Glazebury momentum with a spate of early boundaries in an opening stand worth 52 runs.

Jack Warhurst, 18, Chris Lord, 35, and Wayne Hargreaves, 52, helped move them on to 161 for 4.

Tom Wilkinson tore into the Rylands’ attack with a run-a-ball 53 not out, including five fours and four sixes.

Jon Gibbons, 21 not out, provided support before Glazebury declared at 225 for 4.

For Rylands, captain Adam Peters and Richard Buck claimed two wickets each.

With pressure on, the visitors hit back in style.

A brilliant opening stand of 134 between Eddie Platt, 83, and Richard Buck, 57, gave Rylands a platform.

But once the breakthrough was made, the home attack gradually took control.

Gibbons was the key to this as he grabbed four of the first five wickets for only 20 runs, while Hakeem Dahou broke the monopoly.

Rylands’ victory hopes faded, but they still had chance of salvaging a draw in the fading light until Wilkinson steamed in for one final effort to clean bowl the last two batsmen – the last wicket falling at 175.

Glazebury’s seconds failed to post a competitive total and suffered the consequences against Mellor in the Cheshire Alliance’s Division Four.

Paul Warhurst's excellent 58 was the only highlight as Glazebury were dismissed for 95.

The hosts wasted little time in rattling off the required runs as they reached 98 for 1, Dave Nicholson claiming the only wicket to fall.