Cricket: Brilliant Bowdon duo see off Chester

May 26 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

A BRILLIANT 180 for the first wicket between Carl Hey (97) and Stephen Ball (89) hoisted Bowdon back to pole position in the ECB Premier Division of The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League at Chester Boughton Hall.

Their effort came after a second century in six days by Chester skipper Steve Ogilby, whose 110 enabled his side to declare on 242-7, Jim Gillson 65, David Ball 3-79. Bowdon’s openers made short work, however, and with Lancashire’s Graham Cross chipping in with an unbeaten 34, Bowdon coasted home by eight wickets.

Neston slammed 326-4 on the ground of champions Oulton Park, but had to be content with a 15-8 points draw. Aussie Jack Smith scored a scorching 150 – the highest score in a competitive match for Neston since DDL Little hit 147 not out against Ormskirk in a Liverpool Competition match in 1948.

Oulton were never in the hunt and were content to close on 210-6, Ben Spendlove 46, while the hard-working Chris Finegan took 3-53.

Widnes won by six wickets chasing Urmston’s formidable mammoth 279-3 at Beaconsfield Road, after Chris Watson 79 and Craig Grindley, 57 had opened up with 128 for the visitors.

James McCoy, 115 not out was at his imperious best as Widnes raced to victory, Tony Hurdley aiding with 54, and teenager Ben Williams 36 not out.

Alderley Edge openers Alan Day 118 and Mark Currie 104 put on 228 in a tally of 326-7 at Nantwich. The Dabbers reached 263-4 in reply, Rob Howell 75, Ray Doyle 56 not out.

Hyde won by seven wickets at Macclesfield while Toft won for the first time this season against Heaton Mersey.