CHESTER Boughton Hall’s lead was cut to two points in the ECB Premier Division of the Chapel Press Cheshire County League when they failed to dislodge the Neston tail-enders in an otherwise one-sided game at Filkins Lane.
Warren Goodwin’s magnificent unbeaten 149 plus 57 from Steve Ogilby highlighted Chester’s declaration at a massive 303-3.Neston replied with 285-9, Jack Smith 64, David Hurst 52, Mark Stawart 41. Teenage leg spinner Jack Williams took 5-61 and Lancashire junior Chris Connelly 3-74, but they couldn’t take the last wicket as Neston last pair Dave Manchett (22) and Paul Stimson (13) held out to add an unbroken 34 and foil the leaders.
Hyde continue to stake their first title claim, beating Oulton Park by six wickets at Werneth Lowe after dismissing their visitors for 184, Nick James 81, Scott Kirwin 5-62.
Hyde knocked off the runs in 30 overs, led by Dave Fitzsimmons 41 and Paul Rutgers 31.
Nantwich, the third of the leading contenders, needed a last wicket stand of 25 to win a high-scoring game at Toft, the Knutsfordians setting them a big target after declaring at 246-8, Adam Carolan 63 not out, Aaron Sayers 57, Toby Drummond 51, Alex Matthews 4-38.
Nantwich wickets tumbled after tea, principally to the off-spin of Nigel Muirhead, 5-79, but prolific Aussie batsman Glen Batticciotto was unmoved and an innings of 110 not out, his fifth century of the season bringing his individual tally to 862 in 11 innings at an average of 107.75 plus a stubborn two not out from former Guyana paceman Barrington Browne saw the Dabbers squeeze home with seven balls to spare for a 25 points return.
Oxton moved up to fourth spot with an impressive 118 runs home win over struggling Grappenhall, who drop to 11th place.
Andy Gibson and Lee Dixon both scored 41, Mark Rowland 36 and Tom Marsland 34 in Oxton’s declared tally of 223-8, Garry Burns 3-2.7. Grappenhall then slipped to 103 all out, Richard Green 36, Rowland completing a fine match with 5-22 and Ross Dixon 3-8.
Macclesfield won an exciting game by four runs at home to bottom club Alderley Edge. The Macc batsmen were below par in a tally of 170, Ben Morrison 45, left arm spinner Mark Warnes taking a career-best 7-45. Alderley needed five to win with two wickets in hand at the start of the last over but were bowled out for 166, Jack Roodt 49, Jack Ward 3-33, Tom Barron 3-41.
Urmston’s recent upsurge ended with a 39 runs home defeat at the hands of Didsbury who posted 204-8 batting first, Matthew Marfani 61 not out, Adam Syddall 3-66, Jake Dyball 3-71. Urmston were then dismissed for 165 by spinners Paul Sperring who took 4-8 off 14.2 overs, including seven consecutive maidens and Jonnie Fawcett 3-57.
In the First Division, the top two teams Sale and Marple drew, enabling Marple to move into a 15 points lead, while third-placed Widnes were thrashed by eight wickets at Christleton and Irby lost at home to Cheadle Hulme by 69 runs.
Upton drew level with Stockport at top of Division Two with a winning draw at Middlewich and Warrington did likewise at Malpas, Aussie Andy Martel scoring 107.
