Boughton Hall surrender perfect record to Alderley Edge

May 9 2008 by Richard Fletcher, Chester Chronicle

TWO undefeated teams clashed in the Premier Division last weekend, and inevitably only one record was left intact

Chester Boughton Hall’s fledgling 100% record was broken as Alderley Edge steamed ahead to the top of the table.

Chester were bowled out for 93, with Jim Gillson hitting 27. Their opponents made the target with only one wicket gone, Mark Currie at 35.

Chester skipper Steve Ogilby said: “It wasn’t a good day at the office for us. We lost the toss and were put into bat on a green seam wicket. They’ve got Jason Whittaker and Simon Marshall, Cheshire players who bowled very well. We weren’t able to get a big enough score to defend.

“They’re a good bowling side and the conditions helped them as well. It wasn’t a great experience.”

Next up is Heaton Mersey and Steve added: “It’s a big game – hopefully we’ll get back to winning ways.”

Meanwhile Division One outfit CHRISTLETON missed out on their game at Bramhall because the Church Lane ground remains waterlogged.

Christleton captain Paul Allen said: “It wasn’t wet with pools of water, but the ground was moving. A mate of mine threw the ball 10ft in the air and the ball disappeared into the ground, so it wasn’t the safest game to be playing and they called it off.

“We’ve got Didsbury on Saturday at home. We’re just three games in and looking to get a nice performance and a good points tally, just accumulating the points from each week.”

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, OULTON PARK moved into a threatening third place with their first win of the season.

Craig Williamson (5-43) was the impact bowler and Jonny Kettle (61) topped the batting, with skipper Nathan Dumelow (50 no) and Ben Spendlove (48) mastering the Hyde attack.

NESTON registered an impressive 129-run victory at Heaton Mersey, who are struggling to come to terms with the quality of Premiership cricket.

For the Parkgate side, Aussie Jack Smith (136) and the League’s reigning young player of the year David Hurst (97) enjoyed a third-wicket stand worth 167 in a tally of 284-4.

Mersey were all out for 155.

In Division Two, TATTENHALL top the table after travelling to Mobberley looking to bounce back from a disappointing draw with Marple.

Having lost the toss and being asked to bat on a very green and slow wicket, the visitors started brightly, Gibbon (29) looking very good against his old club before being given out lbw.

Hope (51) continued to grind out runs, Mitchell (31) rode his luck and Forster (19) put in a valuable contribution as they built a total of 188-7.

Mobberley’s reply started briskly with some big hitting from their top order taking advantage of some loose deliveries early on.

But Forster’s excellent bowling was finally rewarded with 2-28, Dobson took 3-23 and Mulvihill finished with 4-44 as Tattenhall bowled their hosts for 162.