Oxton Cricket Club lose out in dramatic final over against league leaders Bowdon

Jul 22 2009 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

A LAST ball boundary by skipper Antony Crozier saw Bowdon scramble victory over Oxton in a rain-reduced game at South Downs Road and stay 13 points clear at the top of the ECB Premier Division of the Chapel Press Cheshire County League.

After 40 overs lost to rain, Oxton declared at 175-7 in 35 overs, the Dixon brothers Ross (39) and Lee (33) top-scoring alongside Andy Gibson 37. Bowdon’s run chase was led by Lancashire all-rounder Gareth Cross with 48, then Crozier took over to post an unbeaten 58 with a last ball four to chalk up a vital 20 points.

Alderley Edge beat Neston off the last ball after declaring on 214-3. Former Lancashire opener Mark Currie hit 103 and Richard Roger Wilkinson made 72 not out.

Neston lost their last wicket on 145 with Jason Whittaker claiming 5-21.

Widnes collected 20 points with a three wickets win at Chester Boughton Hall, whom they dismissed for 111. Teenage bowler Peter Roberts took 5-12 off just 4.3 overs. Danny Naughton top-scored with 40 in Widnes’ winning reply, with veteran Alex Kegg returning a tight 4-23.

Hyde beat bottom club Macclesfield by 108 runs at Werneth Low in a match which started an hour late due to overnight rain. Cheshire left-hander James Duffy slammed a rapid unbeaten 96 and Danny Berry 50 in Hyde’s 224-5 declared. Macclesfield were bowled out for 116, Berry 3-23, Tom Young 3-25.