NESTON became the first club to win a Red Insure T20 Trophy game in the Chapel Press Cheshire County League when they beat Tattenhall by 107 runs at Parkgate on Wednesday.
Bang in-form skipper Jack Smith led the way with a powerful 122 in a Neston total of 186-4 compiled in their 20 overs. This proved far too many for Tattenhall who were all out for 79, Jordan Free taking 4-12. Neston now host neighbours Oxton in round two.
The 100 per cent record of early ECB Premier League leaders Urmston faces a daunting test to-morrow when they visit Alderley Edge, who possess one of the most powerful batting line-ups.
Second-placed Oulton Parkvisit a Nantwich side smarting from a brace of defeats.
Oxton make the long cross-county journey to Hyde, while Neston have ground advantage when they take on Toft, the Knutsford side having made a fine start under new skipper Toby Drummond.
Jim Gillson’s Chester Boughton Hall travel to Didsbury hoping their promising teenage spinner Jack Williams can conjure up another six-wicket haul. Top match in Division One is the derby between Bollington and Macclesfield. Last season, these clubs were two divisions apart but after promotion and relegation respectively there is little between them.
With a win and defeat behind them, Widnes go to Cheadle Hulme and Steve Titchard’s Grappenhall host Upton at Broad Lane. Boosted by their fine win against Widnes, Irby take on promoted Middlewich at Mill Hill Road.
Tails are down at Christleton who prop up the table with only 15 points and they will be hoping their Sri Lankan batting star Iroshan de Silva starts firing when they visit Cheadle.
Down in Division Two for the first time, Warrington have been heartened by two wins and a reinvigorated Liam Heaphy takes his young side to Marple for a 12 noon start.
Birkenhead Park visit Stockport Georgians with real hope, while Tattenhall host a strong Sale side at Flacca Field.
FIXTURES
TODAY
Red Insure T20 first round (6pm): Ashton on Mersey v Grappenhall.
SATURDAY
ECB Premier Division (12.30p.m.): Alderley Edge v Urmston; Bramhall v Bowdon; Didsbury v Chester Boughton Hall; Hyde v Oxton; Nantwich v Oulton Park; Neston v Toft. First Division (1pm): Bollington v Macclesfield; Cheadle v Christleton; Cheadle Hulme v Widnes; Grappenhall v Upton; Heaton Mersey v Poynton; Irby v Middlewich. Second Division (1pm): Brooklands v Bredbury St. Mark’s; Marple v Warrington (12 noon); Mobberley v Congleton; Stockport Georgians v Birkenhead Park; Tattenhall v Sale; Timperley v Ashton on Mersey.
SUNDAY
Cheshire Cup first round: Aston v Trafford MV; Cheshire County Officers v Weaverham; Warrington v Brooklands; Lymm Oughtrington Park v Hawk Green; Birkenhead St. Mary’s v Ashton on Mersey. Second round: Bollington v Romiley.
