Biggest game of the season as Chester Broughton Hall and Neston go head-to-head

CHESTER Boughton Hall and Neston will go head-to-head on Saturday knowing the winner will be huge favourites for the County League   Premier title.

The two sides have been neck-and-neck at the summit for weeks now and, after both recorded victories at the weekend, just nine points separate them.

And if Neston’s appeal against an eight-point penalty, imposed for a slow over rate earlier in the campaign, is successful the margin would be reduced to a single point.

So a 25-point haul for either side at Parkgate (12.30pm) could well make the difference, with just two matches left to play afterwards.

A league spokesman said: “If ever there has been a title-defining fixture in the ECB Premier League in recent seasons it is this. Current form probably favours Chester.”

Boughton Hall won at bottom club Didsbury after dismissing them for 135 (Nick Anderson 37, Jordan Clark 4-22, Alex Kegg 3-29).

Warren Goodwin was unbeaten with 56 in Chester’s response of 137-1 inside 20 overs, becoming the first Premiership batsman to top 1,000 runs (1,045).

This is the fourth time Goodwin has topped four figures in the past five seasons – the exception being last year when he was hit by injury.

Neston found it harder work to pocket full points at retiring champions Nantwich, who opted to bat first and posted 165-7 (Oliver Law 31, Chris Finegan 3-41).

Neston got home in the final over with 166-8 (Jack Smith  38, Luke Camden (33no).

In Division One, CHRISTLETON continued their late sprint with a 22 run win at Cheadle after posting just 159 (Matt Astbury 59).

After tea Cheadle were bowled out for 137 (Ifti Naseer 6-41).

OULTON PARK comfortably beat Brookland after posting 200-9 (Martin East 68, Craig Douglas 34).

In reply, Brooklands were 112ao (Thomas Bannister-Wright 3-33).

In Division Two, ALVANLEY lost by eight wickets at Weaverham after batting first and posting 170-8 (Andy Bennion 49, William Speakman 40).

Weaverham won with 172-2 (Wilden Cornwall 60no).

 TATTENHALL retained  hope with a massive win over Irby. They piled up 258-5 (Ollie Thompson 92, Dan Power 58, Steve Sadler 52).

Irby reached 177ao (Power took 4-61, Tom Hyslop 4-35).