Marshall puts Alderley Edge on top

Lancashire all-rounder Simon Marshall, who ended a long family tradition last year when he switched his allegiances from Neston to Alderley Edge, posted a superb 95 not out to give the leaders of the Cheshire County Cricket League another convincing win.

The 25-year-old leg-spinning all-rounder who made his limited-overs debut for Lancashire in 2005 and was recently selected for his first County Championship match, made the business of overhauling Hyde's 27 total a straightforward affair and with support from Sohail Rauf (50), the target was reached with three overs to spare and four wickets still intact.

Hyde, who had been unbeaten in their previous four league matches posted a resounding 272 for five with Danny Berry (71), Glyn Peacock (67) and James Duffy (59) each believing their efforts would in all likelihood land Hyde a promotion up the table.

Simon Marshall scored an unbeaten 95 © Getty Images

Marshall however had other ideas, enabling Alderley to extend their lead at the top of the table to 21 points.

Bowdon stay second but were held to their first draw of the season at Moorside Road where Urmston raised their game to post an impressive 247 for four with Ashwin Punja making 82 and Colin Grindley 75.

Bowdon came out with all guns blazing but at stumps were still 10 runs short with the score 237 for nine, after Gareth Cross made 57 and Dominic Ball 44 with Urmston's Rob Tootell ending with 4-37.

Oulton Park cleared a possible stiff hurdle when they beat Nantwich – the last team to beat them in June 2005 – by seven wickets at Little Budworth, thanks to a fine all-round performance from Ben Spendlove.

Nantwich posted 213 for eight, with 60 from Rob Howell and 45 to Marc Debrabender, with Spendlove coming on second change to claim 4-62.

The former Derbyshire player went on to star with the bat, scoring 88 in a third-wicket partnership of 155 with Jonny Kettle, 87 not out. Oulton eased home with more than two overs to spare.

Ben Spendlove © Getty Images

Toft who have not lost since the first two weeks of the season, continued their winning streak with a notable 101-run victory at Neston after declaring on 235 for seven.

Adam Carolan (84) and Simon Hardstaff (47) set up the victory despite a 4-61 haul for Paul Stimpson but Neston’s usually powerful batting let them down and they were all out for 134, with Aussie spinner Josh Bean taking 3-19.

Macclesfield recorded their first win since April 19 by 68 runs at home to Chester Boughton Hall.

Nick Allen top-scored with 30 in Macclesfield's total of 190 for nine, with Alex Kegg bowling unchanged for 28 overs to return 4-60.

Chester flopped to 122 all out, Steve Ogilby top-scoring with 31, against fine bowling from Craig Melrose, whose 6-54 return also came unchanged.

Bottom of the table Heaton Mersey continued their improvement with a fighting draw at Widnes chasing the home side’s formidable 245 for five.

James McCoy (100) and Tony Hurdley (42) put on a rapid 136 for the first wicket, Danny Naughton following up with an unbeaten 58.

Mersey gave chase and with Matt Norbury contributing 87, skipper Dave Fitzsimmons scoring 53 and Brent McDonald posting 40, they reached 238 for nine at stumps.

Dan Pascoe claimed 3-79 for Widnes who edged the draw points 17-10.