Latest from the Cheshire County League

Jun 23 2010 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

NESTON’S seven-match unbeaten run at the top of the Chapel Press Cheshire County League ECB Premier Division came to an end when Hyde administered a sobering eight-wicket defeat at Parkgate, although the leaders’ 43 points advantage remained undented.

The Neston innings was interrupted when team manager Bob Cooke ran onto the field with a telephone message from skipper Jack Smith’s wife urging him to leave immediately and attend the birth of the couple’s second child.

He had scored 76 at the time and was supervising a recovery from 70-7 to 140-7 in company with wicket-keeper Matt Knight.

After Smith had departed (officially retired out), Neston were dismissed for 170, Knight 48, Cambridge UCCE paceman Rob Woolley claiming 8-56 from 20 lethal overs.

Hyde stalled at 50-2 in response, but went on to win without further loss at 171-2, Danny Leech 66 and James Duffy 59.

Second-placed Toft also lost, by 46 runs at Oulton Park and the reigning champions could yet prove to be Neston’s principal challengers during the second half of the season.

Chester Boughton Hall amassed the highest tally of the summer when they declared on 333-3 at Nantwich, Warren Goodwin claiming 157 and recently-arrived Indian all-rounder Ajit Ranjan, 77, helping him in a stand of 183 for the second wicket.

Oxton recovered from their mauling by Oulton Park to end Bowdon’ s recent improved run. Bowdon declared on 163-9 (Carl Hey 53, Ross Dixon 4-25, Mark Rowland 4-38) and Oxton went on to win by two wickets at 164-8, Sean Moore 43 not out, Lee Dixon 37 – topping 500 for the season – while Lancashire paceman Matt Cheetham took 4-38.