The latest Cheshire Cricket League action

Jul 28 2010 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

WITH Neston still failing to recapture their early-season form, the position at the top of the Chapel Press Cheshire County League’s ECB Premiership becomes more intriguing by the week.

Neston lost again, this time to Urmston by one wicket with one ball remaining in the most exciting game seen at Parkgate this season.

Neston posted a modest 152, skipper Jack Smith top-scoring with 36 and paceman Jibran Khan taking 5-52. Without a win since May, Urmston wound up with 159-9 (Sean Clarence 32) with their last pair at the crease, occasional bowler Luke Camden claiming a career-best 6-42 to come near to snatching victory for the fading Wirral side.

Ever-improving Hyde edged up to second place, now just 15 points behind the leaders, with a comfortable 76 runs home win against Toft after declaring on 190-9, Danny Leech 50, Rupe Kitzinger 3-48.

Toft were bowled out for 114 thanks to a superb spell of pace bowling from Rob Woolley who took 8-49, only Ed Bones defying him with an unbeaten 37.

Champions Oulton Park stay in the running thanks to a back-to-form victory of 44 runs at Alderley Edge after declaring on 292-8, openers Jonny Kettle 107 and Rick Moore 75 putting on 183. Defeated only once previously in 15 games, Alderley Edge reached 248 largely thanks to a hard-hitting 93 from Richard Wilkinson, while Guy Emmett took 4-49 and teenager Alex Marshall 3-27.

Nantwich recorded their fifth straight win with a seven wickets stroll against Bowdon at Whitehouse Lane.

Bowdon were rattled out for 125, Jon Gray 43, Lou Vincent 3-23, Jamie Warrington 3-45.

The Dabbers knocked off the runs in 37 overs, Nadeem Ahmed 67.

Oxton fought their way 25 points clear of the relegation zone with a vital six wickets win at Didsbury, whom they bowled out for 165, Nick Anderson 52, Sean Moore 3-53.

Oxton replied with 167-4 led by a swashbuckling 96 not out from left-hander Lee Dixon, who now has 818 runs for the season.

Openers Warren Goodwin (117) and Steve Ogilby (63) put on 181 to help Chester Boughton Hall declare at 260-6 against wooden-spoonists Bramhall. Later, they failed to dislodge the Bramhall tail-enders as the Stockport side ended up on 214-9, Mike Bolger 55, while 17-year-old Mike Robinson claimed an impressive 3-21.

MIKE TALBOT-BUTLER