Oulton Park suffer first defeat in 61 matches

Oulton Park's remarkable unbeaten run, which lasted three years and spanned 61 matches came to an end when they suffered a shock eight run defeat at the hands of Chester Boughton Hall in the Right Move Abroad Cheshire Premier League.

For once, the Oulton Park batsmen let the side down. Even though their target was a modest 146, with Chester captain Steve Ogilvy top scoring with 45, the top order crashed to 88 for 7 though Ben Spendlove made a disastrous situation look a little better with 54 despite being dropped on 41.

Ben Spendlove's runs in vain © David Bailey

Veteran Chester seamer and former groundsman Alex Kegg took six of the seven wickets for 53 runs. Tail-ender Chris Jones threatened to snatch victory with a doughty 33 only for Trinidadian paceman Darren Cruikshank to return at 130-7 and dismiss the last three batsmen for seven runs, finishing with 3-18.

Alderley Edge took the opportunity to surge 17 points ahead in pole position with a fine batting performance at Urmston where they were required to top the home side’s formidable 267-7 after Ashwin Punja made 116 and Chris Watson 76, Jason Whittaker proving the pick of the bowlers with 5-76.

In the event, Alderley coasted home with eight wickets standing thanks to a magnificent unbeaten 127 from Indian batsman Sohail Rauf and 91 by the dependable Alan Day.

Alderley’s Oliver Newby received a late call to join the Lancashire squad playing Sussex at Hove and has not made sufficient appearances to remain eligible for the remainder of the season.

Bowdon kept up the pressure in second place with a 20 points win at Heaton Mersey where they totalled 192 after opting to take first innings. No batsman topped 50, but one of Lancashire’s Twenty20 stars Gareth Cross scored a run-a-ball 45. Richard Wilkinson made 40 and Nick Murrills 38 while Danny Cranmer claimed 4-45.

Heaton Mersey were all out for 111 with Matt Norbury hitting 31 and Wilkinson showing his all-round abilities with 5-29.

Neston’s poor run continued when they lost by three wickets at Nantwich, now third. Neston declared at 208-9 underpinned by a solid 80 from Jack Smith 80. Nigel Davies took 4-45 and Glen Batticciotto 4-48 to which Nantwich responded with 210-7 with Rod Doyle contributing 41 and Marc Debrabender 38 not out with Jon Farrow finishing with 4-60.

Wicket-keeper Andy Roberts claimed five victims for Neston, who discovered they were were four points better off when a slow over rate penalty was withdrawn.

Hyde moved up to fifth with the comprehensive 100 runs demolition of Toft at Booths Park after declaring on 221-7, teenager Chris Tipper making 119.

Cheshire left-arm spinner Danny Woods then demolished the Toft batting with a potent 22 over stint which earned figures of 7-54.

Widnes kept Macclesfield in the relegation zone with a four wicket win at Beaconsfield Road after dismissing their visitors for 143 with J. Khojani capturing 3-28 and Danny Pascoe 3-41.

Tony Hurdley was unbeaten on 37 and teenagers Luke McCoy and Ben Williams, both made 32, ensuring Widnes reached their target with time to spare.