Often considered an unlucky day, Friday 13th will hopefully prove the opposite as we go into the final weekend of the season will still plenty to play for across the sides. As is customary, we’ve trawled the history books and notable events have jumped out – those being today is the day that Roald Dahl and Niall Horan were born (for older readers, he’s in One Direction!). Now it’s tricky to weave “James and the Giant Peach” or “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” into a cricket preview so we will defer to One Direction song titles.

Unfortunately with results elsewhere going against us last week, this week’s 1st XI game against Oxton is a “dead rubber” and our congratulations go out to Oxton for winning the Division One title. That being said, there’s still local pride to play for and One Thing you can guarantee that Tom and the boys will be giving it their all and look to finish the season with back to back victories.

Making the relatively short trip, Tom Maguire takes his 2nd XI to sixth placed Neston. With tenth placed Hyde (who play 7th placed Marple away) sitting 19 points ahead, only victory will do to ensure survival so there’s all to play for One way or another. The hosts come into the game in a mixed run of form with 3 draws, a win and a defeat last week at Marple. Chris Hackett (410 runs) and Patrick Woodland (21 wickets) lead the way for Neston. The reverse fixture earlier in the season yielded a high scoring draw with Upton (221) being nine down chasing Neston’s target of 249 with Dan Owen top scoring with 86.

On the back pitch, Ian Sharrock’s table topping 3rd XI will be looking for victory over neighbours Irby which will secure the league title. Irby 2’s come in to the game on the back of three victories (as do we). In the reverse fixture, the game was drawn with the Irby innings closing on 139 for 4 chasing the visitors 192 for 6, Gav Byrom (73) top scored that day.

Making the short trip up Townfield Lane, the 4’s go to Oxton looking to end the season well. Their hosts currently sit in 4th place but cannot break in to the top three as they trail third placed Burton by 90 points. Likewise, the 4’s can’t climb any higher than 9th but could slip one place should Old Parks win and we don’t. With a wealth of players available, captain Ian Bruce watches from the sidelines with the evergreen Rob Chapman leading the troops in a side boosted by the return of President Brian Shenton and Vijay Markandu.

On Sunday, the season draws to a conclusion when the Ladies XI entertain Stockport Georgians who currently sit 6th in the table. Victory for the Ladies (and results elsewhere going our way) could see them finish in an extremely commendable second place for this young team, a truly remarkable achievement in only their second year of league cricket. Having met just four weeks ago, Stockport could only muster 82 for 7 in response to Upton’s 120 for 6.

Before that game on Sunday, in traditional fashion we’ll close the ‘Saturday’ season and be Up all Night with our “Heroes & Villains” themed night and usual shenanigans.

Whatever you do this weekend, enjoy your cricket and Winter well.