Bowdon closing in on Premier leaders

Jul 21 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

BOWDON reduced the gap behind leaders Alderley Edge from 30 to 16 points with an impressive eight-wicket win at Widnes in the ECB Premier Division of The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League.

In fine all-round form lately, Bowdon’s former Northern opener Carl Hey scored 100 as Bowdon coasted to 174-2 in less than 40 overs. This was in reply to Widnes’s 170-8 from 56 overs, Sean Moore 32, Gareth Edwards 3-32.

Alderley Edge were held to a draw at Chester Boughton Hall and banked only 11 points. Mark Currie (74) and Jason Whittaker (42) helped Alderley declare on 175-8, Alex Kegg taking 3-41.

Chester gave chase with 57 from Jim Gillson and 46 by skipper Seamus Ogilby, but needed 19 runs to win off the last over and managed only 12, closing on 169-5.

Hyde improved their third placing with a six-wicket win on the ground of fading champions Oulton Park, who mustered only 154-9. Hyde replied with 157-4, James Duffy 60 not out, Chris Tipper 60.

Nantwich’s faint title hopes took a blow when they lost by four wickets at home to Toft despite posting an impressive 192-6, Rob Howell 79, Josh Bean 3-42. Toft made it with seven balls to spare at 193-6, David Blackburn 70, Simon Hardstaff 56 not out, Nigel Davies 4-59.

Neston came out on top against bottom club Heaton Mersey at Parkgate after recovering from 42-5 to total 163, Chris Finegan 44, Chris Hackett 32, Brenton McDonald 5-44. Heaton Mersey needed eight off the final over with their last pair together at 156-9, only for McDonald (56) to be caught on the boundary by Jack Smith without addition. Finegan again excelled with 5-52.

The clash between two of the three clubs involved in the relegation zone, Macclesfield and Urmston was cancelled due to week-long rain in east-Cheshire.