Is it too much to ask for a game that doesn’t come down to the wire this season?

After a disappointing narrow defeat to Cheadle Hulme the week prior, Luke Williams’ 3rd XI headed on the road to Stockport. Despite the hosts being at the foot of the table there are no pushovers in this league, and with a much changed side from the reverse fixture (only 4 players in the Upton side featuring again) this was never going to be an easy ride.

A third toss lost in a row saw Upton take to the field, the desired outcome anyway. Luke and Rowan Pennwilliams took the new ball, keeping the run rate fairly tight despite failing to take any wickets outside of a stinker of a run out for the departing bat. Simon McGowan soon joined the attack and tightened the rate even further.

Much to the surprise of everyone - players, spectators, livestream watchers, himself - George Williams was thrown the ball at the same ground that saw the end of his bowling career several years ago. This time went considerably better, with most deliveries reaching the other end in legal fashion. Simon took a wicket with the last ball before drinks - a sharp catch behind the stumps from George Godwin - to leave Stockport 64-2.

With wickets in the tank the batting side started to motor on, and the score steadily progressed through the middle overs. The third wicket didn’t fall until the 41st over with 124 on the board, which gave license for the batters to take to the attack.

Wickets fell steadily but the runs kept coming, notably including a fine 69 from the no. 3 Shakeel Ahmad. Some clever running and slightly lacklustre fielding in the final few overs of the innings allowed Stockport to reach a total of 180 all out in the 50th. Wickets were relatively shared around, but special mention must be made to Jack Presswell taking a catch and 2 run outs despite throwing up during the drinks break.

The run chase got off to a rocky start, with George G, Dylan Sanderson and shortly after Jack falling cheaply. At 33-3 Faiz Ahmed joined George W at the crease, and the pair settled into a comfortable partnership, playing sensible cricket as the score ticked on.

A nice partnership of 61 came to an end as George decided to kick one cannoning into middle stump, falling for 45. Faiz then stalled proceedings with an impromptu trip to the bathroom - clearly the relief of an empty bladder was his downfall as he fell 2 balls later for 36. With Ethan Evans coming and going quickly, the 3 quick wickets taking the score to 101-6 made things look a little less easy going.

Luke continued from where he left off in the President’s game the weekend before, sufficiently whacking the ball round all corners whilst Lewis did a fine job supporting from the other end, looking classy despite not having scored a run in 6 years. Once again one brought two as Lewis was unfortunate to play on, and Luke fell soon after for a swashbuckling 42. All of a sudden the chase was looking rather nervy at 14 required with 2 wickets remaining, Rowan and Harry Godwin at the crease. Clearly Stockport were also feeling the pressure, as their wicket keeper forgot to take his helmet off whilst standing back.

Harry looked comfortable despite the pressure situation (including rigorous appeals every other ball) and was very unlucky to fall to a remarkable juggling catch. Last wicket, 7 runs needed - welcome Mr McGowan.

With Upton players on the edge of their seats and super fans Paul W and Alan G lapping at a breathtaking pace through sheer nerves, Simon brought out the shot of the day, a glorious sweep for four that saw him offer a handshake to signal a complete run chase - only to be informed Upton still required 2 to win. Thankfully a wide that didn’t land in the right postcode the next ball took the scores level, and Rowan soon nudged one past the outfield to actually complete the run chase, ending on a superb 8* considering the circumstance.

With the 3s sat in 5th - 19 points from the promotion places with 5 games to play - all eyes should now firmly be on the top of the table…a big game against 4th-place Port Sunlight awaits.