Midcheshire Independent Issue 159

NOVEMBER 2023 24 To advertise in the Independent, contact Jayne on 01204 478812 Independent LOCAL SPORT LOCAL CRICKET ROUND-UP Double move for the Dabbers Town boss Carden brings in experience A LOOK back at this sum- mer’s Cheshire County Cricket League campaign and one thing dominates proceedings – the weather! The end of season statistics high- light the impact of weather inter- rupted and cancelled games. As a result point tallies and run scoring were some way down on last year. In 2022, nine sides finished with more than 400 points, but only Division One champions Bowdon, with 408, managed that this year. However, the rain couldn’t dampen some standout performances. Grap- penhall’s New Zealand all-rounder Tom MacRury became the first player since Simon Normanton in 2013 to score 500 runs and take 50 wickets in the Premier Division. With 62 wickets and 387 league runs, Simon Normanton also enjoyed a fine season for Stockport Georgians in Division One. The overall Fair Play trophy was shared between Upton and Hale Barns, with Hyde topping the Pre- mier league table for the second successive year. Sports grants make a difference Albion move for Pritchard FORMER Tranmere Rovers and Stockport County mid- fielder Jake Kirby has joined Nantwich Town. And in a double move he has arrived at the Dabbers alongside defender Sean Lawton who has returned to the club he was on loan at last season. Kirby, 29, stepped away from the game in 2019 at the age of 25 as a result of persistent How rain took its toll this summer SPORTING clubs across Cheshire are celebrating after sharing in a £6,400 grant pot designed to keep young people playing the sports they love. The recently relaunched Every- body Foundation charity has handed over grants to 26 clubs across the area. Kerry Shea, director of health and communities at Everybody Health and Leisure, said: “When we started to hear reports of local sport clubs seeing a drop-off in numbers of young people attend- ing sessions, we knew this was where the Everybody Foundation comes in. “Having provided multiple grants to local clubs over the last few months, we have started to see how this support has had a beneficial impact to the club and young people involved.” AFC Alsager was among the clubs to benefit. It was awarded £250. Club chairman Andy Miller said: “For a volunteer club like AFC Alsager, a donation like this means we can continue encourag- ing the young people and adults of Alsager to play football in their community. “Football is essential for the mental and physical health of our members. This donation will fund the equipment we need to keep playing on.” Handover: Everybody Foundation trustee Kimiyo Rickett presenting Andrew Miller and AFC Alsager their grant injury problems. Before then, he had made more than 150 league appearances across six years at Tranmere and two years at Stock- port County. He also worked with Nantwich boss Paul Carden dur- ing his time at Warrington Town. Carden told the club’s official website: “Jake had a couple of injuries at Stockport, I had him on loan at Warrington as I knew him from Tranmere. “He’s a real diamond of a lad with quality and intelligence on the pitch and will give us a real composed option among the front line. “He’s good with the ball, sharp and quick, he’s got good ability and knows how to score. “He’s versatile across the front line but if you put him through on goal he’s just got that composure about him.” Carden added: “I think he’s realised that being out of the game, your career’s short if you’ve got one. “He’s been training with us for over a month, you knew it was just going to be a matter of time before he found his level. We’re delighted to have him and for him to be playing again, we’re glad to be a part of it and let’s hope it’s a positive return.” The Dabbers have also announced the return of Altrin- cham defender Sean Lawton on dual-registration. The full-back made 26 appear- ances for the club last season dur- ing a successful spell on loan from Crewe Alexandra. He left Crewe in the summer and subsequently joined National League side Altrincham. Carden said: “He was at the club last season and did well. We spoke to him in the summer but he had a trial lined up at another club, unfortunately he then got injured and was out quite a while. “He’s since done his rehab and was training a lot with Altrin- cham. He recently played a game for them so were able to sign him on dual registration terms. “He’s obviously known in the dressing room and to the fans, they’ll know what qualities he brings.” NANTWICH defender Joel Connolly will be out of the side for around two months after suffering an ankle fracture. The injury occurred in training and manager Paul Carden said: “I’m gutted for Joel because of how he’s been playing. “He’s been a real positive since I’ve come to the club with the type of lad he is. But it’s not only his personality, it’s how he’s been as a player as well. It was a typical Joel moment, he’s blocked a shot as he doesn’t want to concede and the ball’s caught the end of his foot and it’s rocked his ankle right back. “He’s a tough kid who’ll be resilient and no doubt he’ll be doing all he can to get back as soon as possible and be fitter and stronger than he was before.” Injury blow for Joel LEFT-BACK John Pritchard has signed for WittonAlbion fromStalybridge Celtic. Pritchard, who has a Northern Premier League title medal to his name with Ashton United, arrived at Celtic over the summer. The 27-year-old was later sent out on loan to NorthWest Counties side Glossop North End. Announcing the signing Witton said that theplayerwill remaindual-registered withGlossop.