CHESTER Boughton Hall will be aiming to continue their best start since joining the Chapel Press Cheshire County League in 1998 when they meet struggling Alderley Edge at Filkins Lane tomorrow. Top of the ECB Premier Division with a 100 per cent record Jim Gillson’s men will be facing an Alderley side line-up the all-round talents of Richard Wilkinson, who, after opting to join midlanders Barnt Green, scored an unbeaten century on his Birmingham League debut against Moseley last Saturday.
Seven points behind Chester are last season’s runners-up Hyde, who take on Macclesfield at Werneth Low while Neston entertain Didsbury still glowing from their maiden victory a week ago at Oulton Park when Jack Smith fell one short of a fine century.
Oxton are showing up and down form, but travel to Urmston strengthened by the late arrival of Sri Lankan paceman Guyan Fernando of whom chairman Gary Dixon says: “He’s pretty sharp and is going to make batsmen hop about a bit”. In the remaining games, Nantwich entertain Oulton Park and Grappenhall visit Toft.
Three clubs making the pace at the top of Division One are Widnes, and newly-promoted duo Sale and Marple. Sale host Widnes in a key game while Marple are at home to Bollington in a match brought forward to 12 noon to allow more time to prepare the ground for tomorrow’s key Cheshire game against Northumberland in the Minor Countries Cup. The home county will be captained by Marple’s own Andrew Hall.
Making an early mark in the division, Steve Hurworth’s Irby should win at home to Christleton
Division Two leaders Middlewich host Timperley, while second-placed Stockport, who have shown such promising form since joining the league, are at Tattenhall.
Winners in the second round of the RedInsure T20 this week have been Didsbury, Urmston, Bramhall, Bowdon, Stockport, Hyde, Cheadle Hulme, Bredbury, Nantwich, Oulton Park, Grappenhall, Irby and Upton, with Widnes due to host holders Chester Boughton Hall at Beaconsfield Road tonight (6.15 p.m.).
Weekend fixtures Saturday. ECB Premier Division (12.30 p.m.): Chester Boughton Hall v Alderley Edge; Hyde v Macclesfield; Nantwich v Oulton Park; Neston v Didsbury; Toft v Grappenhall; Urmston v Oxton. First Division (1 p.m.): Bowdon v Cheadle Hulme; Cheadle v Bramhall; Irby v Christleton; Marple v Bollington (12 noon); Poynton v Heaton Mersey; Sale v Widnes. Second Division (1 p.m.): Bredbury v Brooklands; Congleton v Warrington; Malpas v Stockport Georgians; Middlewich v Timperley; Tattenhall v Stockport; Upton v Mobberley. Sunday. Minor Counties Cup: Cheshire v Northumberland (at Marple, 11 a.m.). Cheshire Cup 2nd round (1.30 p.m.): Ashton on Mersey v Timperley; Brooklands v Cheadle Hulme; Stockport v Poynton; Congleton v Stalybridge St. Paul’s; Holmes Chapel v Marple; Sale v Bramhall; Bredbury v Ashley; Romiley v Bollington; Heaton Mersey v Bowdon; Wallasey v Crewe; Birkenhead Park bye; Malpas v Upton; Widnes bye; Davenham v Northwich; Winnington Park v Middlewich; Irby v Parkfield Liscard; Winsford v Elworth.
