Champions Oulton made to scrap

As the season’s half-way mark approaches, the battle for the Cheshire County Cricket League, backed by Right Homes Abroad, is developing into a tense three-cornered affair.

Current leaders Alderley Edge, second-placed Bowdon and 2007 champions Oulton Park, chasing their fourth successive title, are in contention having recorded wins of contrasting margins in the latest round of matches.

Lancashire's Oliver Newby starred for Alderly Edge © Getty Images

Alderley posted their sixth success in nine games at bottom club Heaton Mersey. Their attack was strengthened by the inclusion of Lancashire fast bowler Oliver Newby who claimed 3-38 and Sohail Rauf 4-33 although they found it impossible to dismiss ‘Mersey’s Australian batsman Brent 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 with former Lancashire batsman Mark Currie scoring an unbeaten 97 and Sohail Rauf having an excellent day all round by scoring 43.

A fine innings of 91 not out by opener Roger Wilkinson helped Bowdon win by five wickets at Toft, who were restricted to 168-9. Simon Hardstaff fell four short of his half century while Dominic Ball took 4-46 for Bowdon. The Toft innings was turned at a crucial stage by the run out of in-form Adam Carolan.

Oulton Park were made to fight hard for a five wicket win in a lower-scoring game at Macclesfield, who were bowled out for 151, Ben Morrison top scoring with 43 and Chris Jones taking 3-36. After cheap early wickets had fallen, Cheshire left-hander Danny Leech continued his recent brilliant form with an unbeaten 86 as Oulton replied with 153-5.

Australian batsman Josh Farmer scored 100 then got out as Hyde collected 217 to win by 35 runs at Chester Boughton Hall. In response, Chester mustered just 182 with Warren Goodwin making 48 and Tom Young taking 3-28.

A hard-hitting knock of 70 by a former Widnes favourite, Richard Hignett, home on holiday from Australia, helped his side to a winning draw against Neston at Beaconsfield road. The one-time Bootle and Cheshire batsman top-scored in Widnes’ 225 all out, Paul Stimpson 5-67, to which Neston replied with 202-9, G. Lea-Swane 43 not out, Stan Clifford 41, Lee Dixon 35.

Urmston had the better of a high-scoring draw at Nantwich after posting a best of the day 253-7, Craig Grindley 57, Chris Watson 52, Adam Landry 46. Nantwich had their last pair together at 221-9, after sound batting from Chris Simpson 53 and Marc Debrabender 49, while Indian paceman Ashwin Punja returned 5-69.