CHESHIRE LEAGUE

Chester Boughton Hall’s challenge for the Cheshire Premier League title was strengthened a little on Saturday when Lee Dixon’s men won their derby match at home to Neston by three wickets.

Chasing 194 for victory, the Filkins Lane team had been in trouble on 17-3 but Oliver Law’s 63 and Nick James’s 39 guided them to their target, which was eventually reached in 49.5 overs.

However, despite being asked to bat first, Neston had only themselves to blame after nine of their players reached double figures but no one managed anything more substantial than Prithvi Sarvaiya’s 36.

Chester’s Ashley Davis was not complaining, however. His figures of 5-51, added to Jack Williams’s 3-68, ensured that the home side would be chasing a manageable target. The win moved Chester up to fourth place in the league while Neston are ninth after six matches.

In Division One, Grappehhall are up to second following a five wickets win at Oulton Park where they successfully chased 178-6 (Pat Roberts 73no). Peter Barnes, 62, led Grappers’ reply.

Tattenhall registered their first victory and moved off bottom spot with a thrilling late win against Cheadle Hulme at The Flacca.

Hulme totalled 220-9 and Tatters made it at 226-7 when Owen Williamson hit the penultimate ball for six after Glen Coppack’s earlier knock of 80.

Christleton won by seven runs at Alvanley in Division Two with key contributions from Matt Astbury, (4-39) and Atif Bhardwa (49).

Barrow amassed 265-4 at The Croft in excellent conditions with Alex Reid leading the way with 67no.

Northwich were never in the running and closed on 148-9, with Sri Lankan Chandrika Wathukapage’s 65 their high point.

Joseph Holt Brewery T20 holders Chester Boughton Hall remain on course to defend their title after beating Upton by 56 runs at Filkins Lane on Thursday.

Rick Moore’s 78no helped Hall to 157-6 in Group Five while their visitors could only muster 101-9, handing Hall a triumph that keeps them on course to top their group and progress to the knockout stages.

Rick Moore hit 78no for Chester Boughton Hall in the Joseph Holt T20 competition
Rick Moore hit 78no for Chester Boughton Hall in the Joseph Holt T20 competition

UK FAST LEAGUE

Chester County Officer were edged out at Bunbury in UK Fast Division Three, going down by three wickets.

Batting first after winning the toss, Officers reached 164-5 from their 45 overs, with strong showings from Paul Hickey (76) and Alex Whittle (45no).

But seven Bunbury batsmen reached double figures in their response, with F Farrington’s 33 the pick of the bunch as the home side snatched victory with 166-7.

In Division Two, Kingsley drew with Moor Lane.

Batting first, Woodford reached 173ao and Kingsley responded with 131-9, with Ben Stoddart putting on 63.

CHESHIRE ALLIANCE

The Groves fell to a one-run defeat at Saughall in Cheshire Alliance Division One on Saturday.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat first and openers Ben Salisbury and Martin Huxley combined for 31 and 29 respectively to get Saughall off to a good start.

A 28no from James Huxley helped them to 128-7 at the end of their 40-over stint, with M Powell the standout bowler for The Groves with figures of 3-32.

In their response, Groves started brightly as opener Mark Evans put on 35 before being bowled by Chris Andrews.

That was as good as it got for the Ellesmere Port-based side who fell just short of their target after being skittled at 127 in their response.

Elsewhere, Westminster Park claimed a 52-run success at Glazebury. Jaskaran Singh firing 34 for Park.