Nantwich rise to top in Cheshire

With four matches of the 2009 season remaining, Nantwich have risen to the top of the Chapel Press Cheshire Cricket League after beating Toft by three wickets.

Former top dogs Bowdon were held to a draw by bottom team Macclesfield and Oulton Park lost to Neston which left Nantwich ahead by three points with Widnes to play away, Neston at home, Chester Boughton Hall away and third placed Oulton Park, who are 14 points behind at home.

Toft were bowled out for 159, Pat Roberts 62, Nigel Davies 4-45, Lou Vincent 3-49. Former New Zealand Test star Vincent then followed up with a dashing unbeaten 82 to carry his club over the line.

They lead by three points after Bowdon put on a limp show to be held at home by Macclesfield, who mustered a decent 177 for nine, Khalid Sawas 45, Dominic Ball 5-62. Bowdon’s batting collapsed against Ian Tait 5-71 and James Hawley 4-58, and they closed well short at 136 for nine both sides claiming nine points.

Oulton Park’s title challenge also faltered in a high-scoring game against Neston at Little Budworth after they had posted an impressive 259 for nine, Rick Moore 67, Nathan Dumelow 57 (off 17 balls) and Danny Leech 43. Paul Stimson took 5-86 and part time bowler David Hurst 4-96.

Neston batted even better, replying with 261 for five, Aussie left-hander David Pavlinovich contributing a dashing 103, virtually doubling has tally for the season while ever-reliable skipper Jack Smith contributed 48.

Alderley Edge continued their impressive late upsurge with an eight wickets home win against Chester Boughton Hall, who scored 212 batting first, Trevor Fabien 49, Hayden Butterworth 45.

Jason Whittaker became the first premiership bowler to top 50 wickets with a superb 6-45. Mark Currie was left high and dry on 99 not out when his side crossed the finishing line at 214 for two in 40 overs, Sohail Rauf 52.

Oxton’s home game against Didsbury was decimated by rain, the visitors totalling 178 for nine, Neil Cross 4-61, Andy Birley 4-66. Oxton were 20 for one then collapsed in a late run chase to close on 111 for eight, Paul Sperring taking 5-34.

Widnes picked up 12 valuable points in an abandoned game at Hyde, where heavy rain washed out play at a crucial stage. Widnes posted 202 with Tony Hurdley contributing 50 and Tom Young taking 6-30 while Hyde had reached 135 for three in reply from 28 overs (Mark Morris 45) when the players were driven off.