Latest from the Cheshire County League

May 19 2010 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

NESTON confirmed top spot in the Chapel Press Cheshire County League’s ECB Premiership when they thrashed reigning champions Oulton Park at Parkgate.

Cheshire pace bowler James Hawley was the man of the match with a magnificent 6-24 return off 16 overs, receiving good support from the evergreen Chris Finegan, 3-44. The vaunted Oulton batting failed for the second successive week, with lower order player Ben Gough top scorer on 33.

Skipper Jack Smith led by example when Neston replied before being dismissed for 40 as his side coasted to an eight-wicket win.

Alderley Edge and Bowdon were involved in a thrilling level scores draw, Alderley batting first to post 186, Richard Wilkinson 67, Adam Syddall 5-66.

Bowdon needed two off the last ball to snatch victory, but tail ender Gareth Edwards only managed to scramble a single and the innings closed on 186-9, Stephen Ball 56, Tom Atkinson 4-21.

A superb innings of 140 not out by Warren Goodwin helped Chester Boughton Hall beat old rivals Oxton by six wickets in a high-scoring game at Filkins Lane.

Left-hander Lee Dixon contributed a hard-hitting 110 to Oxton’s all out tally of 229, Alex Kegg 5-79, but Chester went on to win it with 12 overs to spare thanks to Goodwin, who is having trials with Lancashire.

Nantwich are recovering rapidly after opening the season with three defeats, a solid 106-run victory at Bramhall shooting them up to the halfway mark.

Nantwich posted 237-8, Chris Simpson 57, Ray Howell 53, Ray Doyle 53 and apart from Matt Dawson 48, the Bramhall batsmen were off colour in reply and were all out for 131, Doyle completing a good day with 3-33.

There were 580 runs scored for the loss of only 15 wickets in a drawn game between Hyde and Urmston, the Werneth Low men posting 301-8, Danny Leech 107, Mike Morris 61, Steve Clarence 6-53. Clarence completed a fine all-round performance with an innings of 133 as Urmston reached 279-7 in response as Hyde remained at the foot of the table.

Didsbury beat Toft by four wickets after dismissing their visitors for 148, Pat Roberts 50, Jonny Fawcett 4-59.

Didsbury were in trouble at 57-4 before coasting to149-6, Nick Anderson 53, Dorset pace bowler Rupert Kitzinger claimed 4-23 in Toft’s early surge.

MIKE TALBOT-BUTLER