Neston seek return to form against Boughton Hall

Jul 28 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

NORMAL service is expected to be resumed after a month of unprecedented rain in The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League this afternoon.

With eight matches remaining in the ECB Premier Division, Neston take a fragile-looking 12-point lead into their home game against old rivals Chester Boughton Hall. Stan Clifford’s men have faltered on the two occasions they have got onto the field this month, but will back themselves to beat Boughton Hall, struggling without a win since June 2. Steve Ogilby’s team have badly missed Aussie all-rounder Heath Pritchard, who played a major role in their First Division title triumph last season.

Unbeaten reigning champions Oulton Park, meanwhile, are coming up strongly and skipper Nathan Dumelow takes a full-strength side to mid-table Alderley Edge.

Tipped by many as a good outside bet for the title and only 14 points behind the leaders, Urmston could see off Bowdon’s fading bid if they beat their South Downs Road visitors.

At the foot of the table, Bramhall are without skipper Andy Hall who is nursing a broken wrist, for their visit to Toft, while fellow-strugglers Christleton take on Widnes at Little Heath. Widnes have done well in recent weeks, outplaying Oulton Park and beating both Bramhall and Neston with their most experienced player, ex-Lancashire batsman Steve Titchard in prime form.

The First Division title race is developing into a fascinating four-cornered contest between Macclesfield (currently on 217 points), Cheadle (209) and Bollington and Oxton (both 208).bottom side Alsager.

TODAY ECB Premier League (1pm): Alderley Edge v Oulton Park; Christleton v Widnes; Nantwich v Hyde; Neston v Chester Boughton Hall; Toft v Bramhall; Urmston v Bowdon. First Division (1.30pm): Alsager v Oxton; Birkenhead Park v Macclesfield; Bollington v Poynton; Bredbury St. Mark’s v Timperley; Cheadle v Upton; Heaton Mersey v Didsbury. Second Division (1.30m): Burnage v Hale Barns; Cheadle Hulme v Sale; Grappenhall v Tattenhall; Irby v Winnington Park; Middlewich v Congleton; Mobberley v Warrington.

TOMORROW. Minor Counties Cup semi-final (at Chester 11 am): Cheshire v Devon. Cheshire Cup quarter--finals (1.30 pm):Oxton v Burnage; Oulton Park v Toft; Neston v Widnes. Cheshire Shield quarter-finals (1.30pm): Hale Barns v Heaton Mersey; Davenham v Marple. Cheshire Under 21 Cup quarter-finals (1.30 pm): Nantwich v Neston; Stockport v Warrington; Wallasey v Chester Boughton Hall. North-West Colts Trophy (at Warrington, 1.30pm): County League v Cheshire League.