THE top two clubs in the ECB Premier Division of the Chapel Press Cheshire County League meet at Moss Lane tomorrow when unbeaten Alderley Edge host leaders Neston in a key fixture.
The Parkgate men are enjoying a good run, not having lost since the second week of the season against Oxton, while Alderley have been in steam-roller form winning their last two games by nine and 10 wickets.
Neston skipper Jack Smith will be keen at least to retain his 32 points advantage at the top while victory for Jason Whittaker’s Alderley is even more crucial, otherwise they could find themselves in a season-long bid to catch up.
Third-placed Urmston have assimilated a talented line-up including star New South Wales all-rounder Sean Clarence (300 runs and 18 wickets) and they will be looking to close up if the top two draw when they take on Oxton at Moorside Road.
Without a win in four weeks, fading defending champions Oulton Park host a Chester Boughton Hall side at Little Budworth strengthened by the acquisition of Indian all-rounder Ajit Ranjan, who arrives with a big reputation in Delhi district cricket.
In the remaining games struggling duo Bowdon and Didsbury meet at South Downs Road, Nantwich host Hyde and Toft are at home to bottom of the table Bramhall.
Runaway and unbeaten First Division leaders Grappenhall’s talented team go to Irby hoping to extend their 22-point advantage over second-placed Cheadle, who host Cheadle Hulme.
Surprisingly only mid-table in their bid to make an immediate return to the premiership, Ian Spencer’s Widnes go to Middlewich and bottom club Upton, without a win in seven games, host Bollington.
Showing signs of improvement in recent games with skipper Chris Foran setting a glowing example, Birkenhead Park host Brooklands, while third-placed Warrington, could close the gap on leaders Marple by beating Ashton-on-Mersey at Walton Lea.
Meanwhile a new League batting record has been set up by Neston batsman Tom Williams with a mammoth 228 not out in a fourth XI league match at Chester Boughton Hall.
Williams and Kurt Sturzy (94) put on 334 for the first wicket in a comprehensive victory at Filkins Lane, his first 100 coming off nine overs and his entire innings lasting only 27 overs in under two hours.
The previous highest league individual was posted Bowdon’s Pat Ashling with 212 not out against Mobberley back in 2008.
FIXTURES: TOMORROW: ECB Premier Division (12.30pm): Alderley Edge v Neston, Bowdon v Didsbury, Nantwich v Hyde, Oulton Park v Chester Boughton Hall, Toft v Bramhall, Urmston v Oxton. Division One (1pm): Cheadle v Cheadle Hulme, Christleton v Poynton, Irby v Grappenhall, Macclesfield v Heaton Mersey, Middlewich v Widnes, Upton v Bollington. Division Two (1pm): Birkenhead Park v Brooklands, Bredbury v Timperley, Congleton v Sale, Marple v Tattenhall, Mobberley v Stockport GeorgianS, Warrington v Ashton-on-Mersey.
SUNDAY: National Club Championship second round (1pm): Alder v Grappenhall, Eagley v Hyde, Lullington Park v Alderley Edge.
