Three-way thriller in Cheshire

Nantwich, Bowdon and Oulton Park all recorded 25-point victories to maintain the status quo at the top of the Chapel Press Cheshire County Cricket League while Alderley Edge fell out of the reckoning.

To retain their slim three point advantage, Nantwich registered the most emphatic victory of the three front runners by a nine wickets margin at Widnes after dismissing their hosts for 66, having been 33 for eight with Barrington Browne taking 5-35 and Jimmy Warrington 3-18.

The Dabbers knocked off the runs for the loss of one batsman.in just 13 overs.

This defeat drops Widnes back into relegation trouble on the same number of points as Toft who lost a less one-sided game against Bowdon at Booth Park. With Adam Carolan (77) and Shaun Mudalige (46 not out) batting well, Toft posted the decent total of 221 for six.

Bowdon’s recent batting frailties were put aside, however, as Lancashire all-rounder Gareth Cross hit a fine 110 and Stephen Ball 78, steering them to a seven wickets victory.

Oulton Park racked up the highest score of the day with a massive 318 for six at Chester Boughton Hall, Ben Spendlove enjoying himself with a lusty 135 and Jonny Kettle 75.

Chester’s best bowler was up and coming teenager Ashley Shaw with 3-79. Shaw went on to top score with 59 in Chester’s reply of 253.

Nathan Dumelow’s typically steady 4-85 enabled Oulton to win with 65 runs and 10 overs to spare, leaving them a further six points behind Bowdon.

As a consolation for CBH, Warren Goodwin’s innings of 31 enabled him to become the first league batsman to top 1,000 runs and created a club record, beating Steve Wundke’s 1,001 in 1999.

Alderley Edge were the latest side to find Didsbury a tough nut to crack, their visitors declaring on 215 for seven with Marcus Fisher making 53, Greg Dixon 45, Paul Sperring 45 not out and Alan Day taking 3-58.

Alderley’s reply was held together by wicket-keeper Adam Worrall, but an unbeaten 90 was not enough to steer his side home after they failed to score seven runs to win in the last over, closing on 213 for nine to take a meagre 10 points.

Dan Parisi claimed 3-30 and Jamie Maltman 3-51 for Didsbury, who collected 15 points.

Neston skipper Jack Smith became the second batsman to reach 1,000 runs with a contribution of 68 to his club’s five wickets home win over Hyde.

With 60 from Chris Tipper and 55 to Tom Twiney, Hyde mustered only 164, David Hurst returning 5-45 and Paul Stimson 3-43 and Neston replied with 216 for five, Smith receiving best support from teenager Andy Murphy, 48, while Danny Berry finished with 3-59.

Bottom dogs Macclesfield won for the first time since the second week of the season when they beat Oxton. Macc declared on 227 for five thanks to an excellent innings of 93 from Tom Parfett aided by James Hawley 52 not out and Khalid Sawas 50.

The only Oxton batsman to impress was Simon Stokes with a quality 70 in a closing tally of 158 with Rob Porter taking 4-24 and Cutbill 3-30.