INSULT was added to injury as Chester Boughton Hall fell from the top of the Premier Division after a humiliating defeat at struggling Alderley Edge.
Rocked by the news that star batsmen Warren Goodwin is likely to miss most of the title run-in, Hall went down by nine wickets to slip to third in the standings with seven games to play.
How they missed Goodwin.
The prolific opener, who needs 199 runs to reach the 1,000-mark for the third successive season, is facing up to a month on the sidelines after breaking his thumb in the field while playing for Cheshire last week.
Without their chief run-maker Hall were skittled for the lowest tally of the summer at what is one of their bogey grounds.
Only Ollie Law (51) impressed in the face of some fine seam bowling after skipper Jim Gillson decided to bat on a roasting afternoon.
After Stephen Ogilby (4) and Daron Cruickshank (21no) went cheaply – the latter run out after a mix-up with Law – matters went from bad to worse as the large travelling contingent of supporters watched wickets fall to Charlie Reid (3-33), Jason Whittaker (3-55) and Mark Warnes (2-22).
Mark Currie – that traditional thorn in Hall’s side – led the reply with an unbeaten 71 as the hosts easily chased down 132 when reaching 135-1.
Alderley Edge’s shock victory – only their second of the campaign – ensured they hauled themselves off the bottom and above OULTON PARK.
Park – missing injured key duo Ric Moore and Craig Williamson and unrecognisable from the team that won the championship two years ago – dropped into the bottom two after going down to an eight-wicket home loss to Nantwich.
The home side slumped from 45-2 to 106 all out after Martyn East (29) and talisman Louis Bentley (22) were dismissed when looking comfortable at the crease.
That target was well within Nantwich’s reach and, with the leagues leading run-maker Glen Batticciotto (34) taking his tally for the term up to 1,038 at an average of 94.36, they cruised to 110-2 inside 16 overs to seal a maximum points win which ensured they moved above Hall into second and just one point behind new leaders Hyde.
NESTON had to settle for a draw at Didsbury.
David Hurst took 4-49 as the Manchester outfit set 215-9dec.
Gareth Peers (34no) and Jack Smith (30) then top scored with the bat as Neston were restricted to 195-8.
