Neston first to break down mighty defence of Bowdon

Jun 7 2006 Wirral News

NESTON inflicted the season's first defeat on leaders Bowdon in the ECB Premier Division of the CD Bramall Trucks Cheshire County League - but only by the skin of their teeth.

After rattling up scores of more than 200 in their previous two games, Bowdon were dismissed for 105 on their own South Downs Road pitch, the top scorers being tail-enders Chris Ashling 22 and Adam Syddall 21. The damage was done by paceman Jason Voros and Dave Collyer, both 3-23.

Neston batsmen also found run-scoring difficult and after Gareth Peers (23) had posted the top individual score of the game, wickets tumbled to off-spinner Gareth Edwards, 4-34 and county paceman Guy Emmett, 2-9 and Syddall, 2-29. It was left to the batting talents of Australian Voros with an unbeaten 18 to see his side home to a one wicket win which earned the maximum 25 points return and shot them up to third spot in the table.

Hyde moved up to within 10 points of the leaders after amassing 315-7 in a high scoring draw game on the ground of champions Oulton Park which yielded three centuries.

Hyde took 60 overs to run up 315-7 with tons from Cheshire left hander Jimmy Duffy (104) and wicket keeper Mark Makin (102). Oulton reached 262-9 in reply, former Derbyshire batsman Ben Spendlove (117) posting his maiden league century.

Teenage left-arm spinner Danny Woods wheeled away to take 5-117 from 20 overs for Hyde.

A forcing innings of 70 not out by Aussie Steve Paulsen earned Nantwich their first win of the summer at Birkenhead Park, who mustered only 123-9. Oxton put up their best batting performance yet to reach 271-5 in a winning draw at Toft, Simon Stokes leading the way with 72 not out and Mark Rowland 59. Toft replied with 204-7, Josh Drummond 57.

A score of 235 was not enough to save Widnes from defeat at Christleton, Cameron Park topscoring with 85, while Darron Cruikshank took 5-74 and Maroof Khan 4-59.

Promoted second team batsman Dave Graham cracked 90 on his debut and Rick Moore 88 not out as the Little Heath side eased home by eight wickets.

Indian all-rounder Sohail Rauf was the star of Alderley Edge's home win against Bram-hall, taking 5-31 to help dismiss the visitors for 173, Mark Dawson 61, Mike Bolger 52. Rauf then scored 47 to support Alan Day's 53 as Alderley coasted to victory by five wickets.