NANTWICH pipped Hyde to win the Chapel Press Cheshire County League ECB Premier Division title for the first time with a thrilling win against Oxton in which former New Zealand Test all-rounder Lou Vincent slammed a best of the season 173, then followed up with a 4-34 bowling stint.
Nantwich posted a massive 265-7 in 51 overs, Vincent’s innings taking his tally for the season to 1,207 including six centuries.
Oxton replied spiritedly and a century stand between Ross Dixon (87 not out) and his dad Gary (31) almost pulled it off for the Wirral club, who reached 247, losing by only 18 runs.
Vincent was helped by Jimmy Warrington, 3-104 as the Dabbers finished 15 points clear in pole position, winning their first championship since arriving from the North Staffs and South-Cheshire League in 1998.
Leaders by two points at the start of the day, Hyde found themselves stymied by rain on their visit to relegated Bramhall.
In a match initially reduced to 102 overs, Bramhall declared on 190-7, but prolonged showers left luckless Hyde with just 14 overs in which to score 191 and they had a go, reaching 141-4, but the game ended in darkness and disappointment for Hyde who had been unbeaten since May 8.
After topping the table for much of the season, Neston have to be content with third place, but finished with an impressive win at Parkgate against Didsbury who were bowled out for 101.
Alderley Edge trounced Chester Boughton Hall by nine wickets in a game which finished at the unusually early time of 3.15pm. Chester flopped to a miserable 55 all out before Paul Manton, who was promoted in the Alderley batting order, top-scored with 30 in their reply of 58-1.
There was a nasty shock for Bowdon when they lost their premiership status for the first time after mustering only 10 points in a drawn game against rivals Toft at South Downs Road.
Urmston, meanwhile, escaped relegation when they maintained a late surge with a handsome 145 runs victory on the ground of retiring champions Oulton Park.
Urmston hammered 260-5, Chris Watson 86, Sean Clarence 80, Guy Emmett 3-74 and a dispirited Oulton could manage only 115 in reply against Indian star Samit Panda, who claimed 5-50.
