Alderley edge it despite McDonald century

Jun 16 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

THE battle for ECB Premier Division honours in The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League is developing into a three-cornered affair involving leaders Alderley Edge, second-placed Bowdon and Oulton Park.

All three won comfortably to open a gap, as Alderley recorded their sixth success in nine at bottom club Heaton Mersey. Their attack was strengthened by the inclusion of Lancashire fast bowler Oliver Newby who claimed 3-38 along with Sohail Rauf 4-33, although the pair found it impossible to dismiss Mersey’s Australian batsman Brenton McDonald, who contributed an unbeaten 105 to his side’s declared tally of 179-9.

Alderley Edge had the game won inside 36 overs after tea, former Lancashire batsman Mark Currie scoring an unbeaten 97 and Sohail Rauf 43.

A fine innings of 91 not out by opener Roger Wilkinson helped Bowdon win by five wickets at Toft, whom they had restricted to 168-9.

Oulton Park recorded a five wicket win at Macclesfield, who were bowled out for 151.

Danny Leech continued his recent brilliant form with an unbeaten 86 as Oulton replied with 153-5.

A fine innings of 100 out of 217 by Australian batsman Josh Farmer saw Hyde win by 35 runs at Chester Boughton Hall.

A hard-hitting knock of 70 by Richard Hignett, top scored for his side in a winning draw against Neston at Beaconsfield Road in Widnes’ 225 all out. Neston replying with 202-9, Gerald Lea-Swaine 43 not out.

Urmston had the better of a high-scoring draw at Nantwich after posting 253-7, Craig Grindley 57. Nantwich had their last pair together at stumps at 221-9, after sound efforts from Chris Simpson 53 and Marc Debrabender 49, while Indian paceman Ashwin Punja returned 5-69.