Tense and exciting final few weeks in title race

Aug 18 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

STARTING times come forward half-an hour in The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League today heralding the approach both of autumn and decision time in a well-contested ECB Premier Division title race.

With five games remaining, only 14 points separate the top three clubs, any one of which is capable of lifting the title, Neston remaining slight favourites in front of 2005-6 champions Oulton Park and Urmston.

After their triumph in winning the Twenty20 final on the ground last Sunday, Hyde return to Parkgate to take on Neston. Both teams expect to be at full-strength.

Just six points behind, Oulton Park face a less daunting task when they visit lowly Toft on a batsman’s track at Knutsford. Oulton have paceman Robin Taylor back after a side strain.

Beaten by 14 runs at home to Neston last weekend, Urmston entertain Christleton.

Chester Boughton Hall could clear lingering worries of the drop when they host bottom team Bramhall at Filkins Lane, although their visitors have Cheshire skipper Andy Hall back after his recovery from a broken wrist.

Oxton will want to re-establish their promotion credentials when they visit mid-table Bollington, while leaders Macclesfield visit bottom team Alsager.

Birkenhead Park’s situation in the relegation zone is becoming desperate, 41 points adrift of the club above them, Bredbury St Mark’s, whom they visit in east-Cheshire.

Lee Dixon’s Upton will aim to maintain an improved run when they take on Poynton.

FIXTURES: TODAY: ECB Premier Division (12.30pm): Alderley Edge v Widnes, Chester Boughton Hall v Bramhall, Nantwich v Bowdon, Neston v Hyde, Toft v Oulton Park, Urmston v Christleton. First Division (1pm): Alsager v Macclesfield, Bollington v Oxton, Bredbury St. Mark’s v Birkenhead Park, Cheadle v Didsbury, Heaton Mersey v Timperley, Upton v Poynton. Second Division (1pm): Burnage v Congleton; Cheadle Hulme v Mobberley, Grappenhall v Winnington Park, Hale Barns v Tattenhall, Irby v Warrington, Middlewich v Sale.

TOMORROW: Minor Counties championship (Nantwich 11am): Cheshire v Shropshire. Cheshire Cup semi-finals (1pm): Oulton Park v Widnes, Oxton v New Brighton. North-West Colts Trophy semi-final (Warrington, 1pm): Cheshire County League v Derbyshire & Cheshire League.