Marshall’s winning knock keeps Edge top

Jun 9 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

SET the severe test of scoring 273 to beat Hyde at Werneth Low, Alderley Edge’s title credentials were enhanced with a four wickets win to extend their lead to 21 points at the top of the ECB Premier Division in The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League.

Hyde, who have been on the up, posted a handy 272-5, Danny Berry 71, Glyn Peacock 67, James Duffy 59. But Alderley were up for it and with Lancashire all-rounder Simon Marshall winding up with a quality unbeaten 95 and Sohail Rauf posting a solid 50, they made it with three overs left.

Bowdon stay second, drawing at Moorside Road where struggling Urmston gave an improved performance to score 250-4, Ashwin Punja 82, Colin Grindley 75. Bowdon had a real go, but had their last pair on 237-9 at the close.

Oulton Park beat Nantwich by a comfortable seven-wicket margin at Little Budworth, Ben Spendlove giving a fine all-round performance. Nantwich posted a below par 213-8, with 60 from Rob Howell, Spendlove taking 4-62. Spendlove (88) later starred with the bat in a third wicket partnership worth 155 with Jonny Kettle, 86 not out, as Oulton eased home.

Toft had a notable 101-run win at Neston after declaring on 235-7, Adam Carolan 84, Simon Hardstaff 47, Paul Stimpson 4-61. Neston’s usually powerful batting let them down and they were all out for 134.

Macclesfield recorded their second win by 68 runs at home to Chester Boughton Hall. Aussie Nick Allen top-scored with a modest 30 in Macc’s 190-9. Chester flopped to 122 all out.

There was a tight finish to Widnes’ home game against Heaton Mersey which ended 17-10 on points in the Beaconsfield Road club’s favour. After big-hitting James McCoy (100) and Tony Hyrdley (43) had put on 136 for the first wicket, Widnes went on to close at 245-5. Mersey gave chase and closed on 238-9, Matt Norbury 87.