Championship race is hotting up like the weather

Aug 4 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

THERE is a theory that the incessant July rain which caused so many cancelled matches has heightened interest in the race for the ECB Premiership title in The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League.

With some key fixtures hit, only 19 points separates the top four clubs as they line-up for a series of intriguing games today, with only six further weeks to run.

Leading the table level on points with Neston but having won one game more, surprise packet Urmston are at Widnes. Urmston shocked the league a week ago when they routed former champions Bowdon for 38 and with a varied attack and strong batting, which includes former Yorkshire wicket-keeper Ismael Dawood, they should maintain their challenge.

Neston will need to shake off some recent indifferent form when they take on Toft at Parkgate. Maximum points is a necessity for Stan Clifford’s men to fend off the ever-present challenge of 2005-06 champions Oulton Park. Oulton will be without one of their three former Derbyshire stars in the holidaying Chris Bassano when they take on Christleton at Little Budworth, but pace bowler Robin Taylor is back after injury

Chester Boughton Hall go to Nantwich where the opening batsmen on opposing sides will be Ollie Sadler and Freddie Owen, who faced one another in the Oxford v Cambridge ‘varsity clashes’ only two weeks ago.

First Division title-chasers Oxton meet Birkenhead Park at Townfield Lane with an unbeaten record to maintain. Park, who have won only one game – and that back on June 9th – introduce Bolton League all-rounder Zia Ur Rehman in a late bid to avoid a second successive relegation.

Leaders by eight points, Macclesfield host Bredbury, the only team in the league still chasing a win.

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

TOMORROW Minor Counties championship: Oxfordshire v Cheshire (at Banbury, 11am continues Monday –Tuesday). Cheshire Cup quarter-final (1.30pm): Chester Boughton Hall v New Brighton. Cheshire Shield semi-finals (1.30 pm): Cheadle Hulme v Birkenhead St. Mary’s; Heaton Mersey v Davenham. Cheshire Under 21 Cup semi-finals (1.30pm): Wallasey v Nantwich; Birkenhead Park v Stockport. North-West Colts Trophy: County League v Southport & District League (at Oxton, 1.30pm).