Alderley to chase title crown without Lancashire’s Newby

Jul 5 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

ALDERLEY Edge begin the second half of the season at Toft today 17 points clear at the top of the ECB Premier Division in The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League without Lancashire fast bowler Oliver Newby, who is no longer eligible.

Under league rules, county contracted players must make at least four appearances before the end of June in order to continue playing after then. Tantalisingly, Newby managed only three after being called up at the last minute to join Lancashire’s squad at Hove last weekend.

Former Neston all-rounder Simon Marshall, however, will be able to continue bolstering Alderley’s prospects of a first major championship in 33 years which still looks well on course.

Second-placed Bowdon go to Nantwich, third, who are hoping to include new signing Justin Granger, a South African-born all-rounder from North Staffs. League club Checkley.

Chester Boughton Hall who have risen to fourth place after beating champions Oulton Park last Saturday, take on Urmston at Filkins Lane in a fixture brought forward to 12pm to accommodate the club’s Summer Ball in the evening.

Neston could end a losing run when they visit struggling Macclesfield, while Oulton Park host bottom club Heaton Mersey and Widnes are at home to Hyde. Division One leaders Didsbury go to Birkenhead Park with second-placed Oxton taking on Bramhall at Townfield Lane.

Upton, third and still in the promotion reckoning, take on Timperley at Old Greasby Road and Warrington play wooden spoonists Bollington at Walton Lea.

Still top of Division Two despite losing their last two outings, Irby go to Winnington Park, who are still without a win in 11 games, with second-placed Tattenhall at home to Middlewich.

Two remaining games in the fourth round of the Cheshire Cup are to be played tomorrow, but a third scheduled tie between Burnage and Nantwich has been called off following Burnage’s late withdrawal.

Highlight of the Cheshire Shield second round programme is the clash of Birkenhead neighbours Park and St Mary’s, while Oxton go to Malpas and Upton travel to Ashton on Mersey.

FIXTURES: TODAY: ECB Premier Division (1pm): Chester Boughton Hall v Urmston (12pm), Macclesfield v Neston, Nantwich v Bowdon, Oulton Park v Heaton Mersey, Toft v Alderley Edge, Widnes v Hyde. Division One (1.30pm): Birkenhead Park v Didsbury, Cheadle Hulme v Cheadle, Oxton v Bramhall, Poynton v Christleton, Upton v Timperley, Warrington v Bollington. Division Two (1.30pm): Bredbury v Marple; Hale Barns v Grappenhall, Mobberley v Sale, Stockport Georgians v Burnage, Tattenhall v Middlewich, Winnington Park v Irby.

TOMORROW: Minor Counties championship (at Alderley Edge, 11am, continues Monday – Tuesday): Cheshire v Oxfordshire. President’s Trophy quarter-final (at Darlington 2pm): North Yorks & South Durham League v Cheshire County League. Cheshire Cup fourth round (1.30pm): Elworth v Brooklands, Toft v Didsbury, Nantwich bye v Burnage. Cheshire Shield second round (1.30pm): Birkenhead Park v Birkenhead St Mary’s, Middlewich v Congleton, Rode Park v Romiley, Malpas v Oxton, Marple v Cheadle Hulme, Hale Barns v Compstall, Crewe v Alderley Park, Ashton on Mersey v Upton.