News from Cheshire Women's Cricket League

Here's a seasonal update from the Cheshire Women's Cricket League...

The AGM approved the promotion applications of Buxton 2^nd XI and Alvanley from Division 4 to Division 3.  Stockport, Kingsley and Grappenhall are promoted from Division 5 to Division 4 and will therefore be playing senior hardball cricket for the first time in 2024.

Buxton, as divisional winners, have exercised their automatic right to be promoted from Division 3 to Division 2. Lindow have similarly exercised their automatic right to be promoted from Division 2 to Division 1.

Upton are relegated from Division 1 to Division 2. Owing to the withdrawal of Stockport Trinity early in the 2023 season, and Porthill Park’s decision not to apply for promotion, there will be no relegation from Division 2.

The meeting also approved applications for several existing member clubs to field additional teams in the hardball divisions in 2024. Stockport Georgians, Buxton and Didsbury will be launching women's 3^rd XIs, while Lindow become the first Cheshire women's club to have a fourth team.

The league fixtures see Didsbury's first team start their League Championship defence at Stockport Georgians on April 28. Lindow's first team make their bow as a top-flight club by hosting Appleton seven days earlier.

Nantwich and Stockport Georgians meet in the first round of the National Knockout. Leigh will also need to play a first round match, while Lindow, Didsbury and Leyland - also representing the league in the national competition - go straight through to the second round. Didsbury have become the first club to field two teams in the national competitions, with their second team to go straight into the Plate, to be joined by the first and second round losers.

Holders Nantwich Vipers have been drawn away to last year’s runners-up Didsbury Swordettes in the quarter-final of the league’s Senior Knockout. The Development Knockout sees 2023 winners Chester Boughton Hall 2^nd XI away to reigning Division 3 champions JG Meakin Northern Stars in the first round.