Bowdon's Cross in triple wicket maiden

Triple wicket maiden for Gareth Cross

Bowdon completed a comprehensive 65 run victory over reigning champions Alderley Edge and remain the only unbeaten team after just three games in the Chapel Press Cheshire Premier League.

Bowdon's match-winner was Gareth Cross, who normally keeps wicket for Lancashire, but enjoys bowling in club matches.

He claimed a remarkable 8-42 including a triple-wicket maiden to send Alderley back for 149, of which Indian batsman Sohail Rauf scored 61 and Mark Currie 32. Bowdon declared on 214 for nine, brothers Stephen (60) and Dominic Ball (57) leading the way helped by an unbeaten 39 from Nick Murrills.

Widnes also suffered their first defeat by 67 runs at Neston, who posted a useful 216 for five, David Hurst 52, Jack Smith 50, At ur Rehman 4-76. The normally strong Widnes batting line-up crumbled for 149 with Tony Hurdley making 34 and Chris Finegan taking 4-39.

Newly-promoted Oxton won their first game by three runs in an exciting finish on the ground of 100 per centers Nantwich, recovering from 60 for five to post 193 for eight, thanks to new boy Lee Dixon 78.

James Warrington took 4-53. The Dabbers Nantwich were bowled out for 190 with Steve Ogilby top scoring on 59, Chris Stenhouse taking 3-46, and teenage off-spinner Ross Dixon 3-47.

Oulton Park won their second game in a row after being put in to post a best of the day tally of 258, Nathan Dumelow 68, Danny Leech 52.

Newcomer James Hawley, a 20 year-old paceman who made his debut for Cheshire the previous week-end, took 6-105 bowling unchanged for 27 overs up the Oulton slope. Apart from Tom Parfett who made 67, Macclesfield’s batting was poor and they were all out for 128, Dumelow completing a successful day for himself and his team with 3-17.