Tight at top in Cheshire

Neston emerged beneficiaries in the Cheshire title battle, scoring a 25-point home victory over Bramhall while the two leading clubs Hyde and Nantwich were held to a draw and beaten respectively.

With two games remaining, the Parkgate men now trail by only eight points after a convincing victory over relegated Bramhall, led by skipper Jack Smith’s inspiring innings of 122. Neston declared on 207 for six, then bowled Bramhall out for 178, Andrew Hall 36.

Hyde stay top after a marginal winning draw at Alderley Edge which lost eight overs to rain. They declared on 220 for nine, with 58 from Dave Fitzsimmons and 40 to Danny Berry, while Alan Day took 3-35.

Alderley Edge reached 203 for six, Day 73 and Jonathan Usher 53 not out, Adam Worrall 34, the Day – Worrall partnership raising 104 for the second wicket.

Nantwich trail six points behind in second spot after losing for the first time in 14 games at home to Didsbury in the day’s shock result.

Nantwich posted a handsome 237 for four in 52 overs, George Cairns 90 not out, Chris Simpson 42 and Didsbury - lying 10th and dismissed for 71 and 122 in their last two games – slumped to 52 for four in reply.

They went on to close at 240 for six, however, thanks to a magnificent partnership of 146 for the fifth wicket between Greg Dixon (run out for 112) and all-rounder Nick Anderson (75 not out), who had taken a hat-trick for Cheshire 2nd against Leicestershire in mid-week.

Oulton Park slipped to fourth place when their game against Oxton at Little Budworth was abandoned at a crucial juncture.

Park declared on 188 for nine, Louis Bentley 54, Sean Moore 5-65 and Oxton had reached an interesting 136 for four, Mark Rowland 51, Chris Davies 37, with 18 overs remaining and a short boundary beckoning when the elements intervened.

Bowdon eased their relegation worries with a winning draw (14 – 8) against Chester Boughton Hall at South Downs road. Bowdon declared on 214 for six, Lancashire Academy batsman Jordan Clark (72) and skipper Carl Hey (69) leading the way.

Chester’s reply lost 17 overs to rain and they had posted 158 for eight by the close, Steve Ogilby 46, Hey 4-61, Gareth Edwards 4-75.

Urmston had the better of a home draw with Toft in a match of only 60 overs’ duration. They declared at 186 for four, Sean Clarence 71, Samit Panda 40, Toft responding with 103 for eight, Toby Drummond 41, Ian Grindley 4-25.

The scorer of 24 runs opening the Urmston batting was Craig Grindley, who landed at Heathrow Airport from Australia at 6 a.m. and rushed to Manchester to make his first appearance for the club in two years after special clearance by the League.

It looks as though his return from Perth will be too late as Urmston currently lie 16 points below the safety zone