Nantwich retain Cheshire title

Nantwich duly clinched their second successive ECB Premier League title on the final day of the season - and they did it with a record points haul, 40 more than in 2010.

The Dabbers beat Toft by six wickets at Whitehouse Lane after dismissing their visitors for 124, Aaron Sayers 59, Alex Matthews 4-9.

Nantwich replied with 126 for four, Jonny Kettle taking his tally to 1,070 runs by top-scoring with 36, while teenager Sam Hunt hit 31.

Nantwich have won 13 of their 22 games and in totalling 422 points, topped the previous best Premiership tally of 418 set up by Bowdon in 2000.

Chester Boughton Hall clinched a highly creditable second place, equalling Nantwich’s 13 victories, with a four wickets win in a high-scoring game at Neston, who declared at 234 for nine, Luke Pavlinovitch 80, David Hurst 34, Daron Cruikshank 3-57.

Chester replied with 235 for six, opener Warren Goodwin with 110 topping 1,000 runs for the third successive season, the first time this has been done in premiership cricket.

He was aided by Lancashire’s Jordan Clark, 65. Paul Stimson’s spin earned him 3-49 as the Parkgate side finished a disappointing ninth in the table.

Skipper Jim Gillson was making a farewell appearance for CBH before emigrating with his family to New Zealand in October. He will be missed.

Third-placed Hyde had their visit to relegated Oulton Park abandoned due to rain.

Hyde scored 179 for two in the 28 overs possible, top scorers being Scott Kirwin 76 and Mark Makin 63 not out while skipper James Duffy’s unbeaten 31 took him over the 1,000 runs mark. Oulton Park did not bat.