Usher shows the way as Edge seal win

Apr 21 2008 by Peter Guy, Liverpool Daily Post

THERE were four wins and two draws in the ECB Premier Division as The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League got off to a dry, but bitterly cold start with hot soup the dish of the day on most grounds.

The most exciting victory was achieved by Alderley Edge, who beat Toft by one wicket off the fourth ball of the last over chasing their visitors’ 192-8. Alderley looked beaten at 179-9, but Jon Usher smacked a match-winning 55 not out aided by dogged tailender Andy James.

Chester Boughton Hall’s 70 runs win at Urmston was largely down to a magnificent innings of 95 from new Trinidad all-rounder Darren Cruikshank. Thanks largely to the former Christleton player, Chester totalled 174, then bowled Urmston out for 104, Neil Pearson taking 4-11 and part-time bowler Warren Goodwin 4-25.

Neston’s batting let them down against promoted Macclesfield at Parkgate, mustering only 111 (Jason Smith 33, Barney Cutbill 4-31) Earlier Macclesfield tallied 171-9, Aussie debutant Nathan Allan scoring 54, while Neston’s teenage paceman Andy Clarke claiming 3-21.

The fourth side to start with full points were Bowdon who beat Nantwich by 21 runs in a low-scoring game at South Downs Road.

Reigning champions Oulton Park chalked up 272-6 at Heaton Mersey, but were unable to force victory against their promoted hosts. Quickly slipping into top form were batsmen Danny Leech 90, Jonny Kettle 76 and Nathan Dumelow 65. Guy Emmett then took 4-46.

Widnes had the better of their drawn game at Hyde after posting 179-8, (Tony Hurdley 76). Hyde held out at 152-9 after Widnes dropped a vital late catch. Tom Evans took 4-59.