WITH Chester Boughton Hall’s game at Didsbury rained off, Hyde took the lead for the first time in the ECB Premier Division of the Chapel Press Cheshire County League.
While Chester watched the rain fall, Hyde were winning by eight wickets at Grappenhall with another efficient performance and after 13 weeks they lead by six points in their aim to take the title for the first time.
The match at Grappenhall was reduced to 70 overs, Grappenhall declaring on 167-4 with 67 from Richard Green and 42 to 18 year-old left hander Adam Roylance. Hyde passed their target during the 31st over, Dan Walker scoring 62, Tom Twiney 44 not out and James Duffy 34 not out.
Nantwich moved closer in third spot with a nine wickets win at Neston, whose batsmen had no answer to the pace of Cheshire’s Jimmy Warrington, who claimed 6-51. With an unbeaten 77 from another Cheshire stalwart, Jonny Kettle, Nantwich won at a stroll on 125-1. Neston are in a spot of bother having slipped to 10th position.
Oxton moved above Macclesfield into fourth place with a 76 runs win on the ground of their east-Cheshire rivals, whose players had been at the ground since 10 a.m. slaving to clear pools of water from the outfield. Oxton opted to bat and mustered only 147, Andy Gibson 40, Lee Dixon 36, Tom Barron 3-27. After tea superb bowling from pace duo Andy Birley, 6-21 and Sri Lankan Gayan Fernando, 4-43, blew Macclesfield away for 71 in 25 overs.
A superb innings of 168 not out by young Lancashire batsman Louis Bentley helped Oulton Park beat Toft by seven wickets in the day’s highest-scoring game at Little Budworth. With a maiden century (105 not out) from teenager Ed Stubbs, aided by 71 from Aussie Aaron Sayers, Toft looked safe when they declared at 295-6, Danny Leech 3-55. But they reckoned without Bentley and Combined Universities batsman Rick Moore, 86, who added 223 for the second wicket to steer their side home at 298-3 with three overs to spare.
Bottom team Alderley Edge were foiled of possible much-needed victory when visitors Urmston were reduced to 153-8 before rain ended play. Skipper Jason Whittaker had taken 4-46 and Mark Warnes 3-19.
Widnes slipped up badly in Division One when they lost at home to bottom club Cheadle, who were without a win in their previous 12 games. Widnes were all out for 114, Sean Moore 44 and Cheadle replied with 118-7, Tom Mitchell 4-49.
Leaders Marple had their home game against Bowdon rained off, while second placed Sale were held to a draw at Bollington. Irby picked up 13 useful draw points at Heaton Mersey after scoring only 139-9, Chris Davies 55 before reducing their hosts to 135-9, Houghton 4-28.
Division Two leaders Brooklands managed only 10 draw points at home to Stockport Georgians and Upton moved back into second spot with a winning draw at Congleton.
