Chester Boughton Hall tasted triumph and disappointment in two important fixtures over the weekend.
They lost the Vivio County League ECB Premier League leadership – and possibly the title – in a 97-run defeat at Neston on Saturday, then won the Cheshire Cup final in emphatic style at New Brighton the following day.
It was Chester’s fourth Cheshire Cup triumph since the competition started in 1973.
Lancashire batsman Jordan Clark deservedly won man-of-the-match honours for an innings of 119 at New Brighton.
The century helped Chester rout the Liverpool Competition team’s bowling attack to reach 311-7 off 45 overs.
Clark was assisted by Lee Dixon (87) in a third-wicket partnership worth 143, after a sound opening knock of 55 from opener Mark Rowland.
New Brighton suffered two pre-match blows, losing Lancashire all-rounder Luke Proctor through injury and South Africa overseas player Sean De Villiers, who had to return home.
The New Brighton reply began in the doldrums in the face of the massive task until the arrival of Mike Hale, who hammered the Chester bowling for 94 off 70 balls.
The Wirral side were eventually able to close on a respectable 243-8. Warren Goodwin had the best bowling return with 3-29 and Alex Kegg 2-37.
The defining moment of the ECB Premier League title race may have taken place at Parkgate on Saturday when Neston surged into a 12-point lead with just two games remaining – at Bowdon next Saturday then in front of their own expectant supporters against Grappenhall on September 14.
Completing a notable double over old rivals Chester, Neston fully merited their 14th win of the season after opting to bat first on a grassless pitch, which encouraged spin from the start.
An opening partnership of 127 between Will Evans (80) and skipper David Hurst (59) was to prove crucial with runs becoming increasingly scarce thereafter.
Only Andy Murphy (33) of the later batsmen looked at home as Chester took a grip and reduced their hosts from 155-3 to a containable closing tally of 242-8.
Sixteen-year-old off-spinner Harry Killoran took 4-66 while more experienced leg spinner Jack Williams had figures of 1-76.
Chester began well but opener Mark Rowland’s 45 proved to be their highest individual contribution as the runs dried up.
After Dixon was out for a breezy 34, Clark dithered for 90 minutes and 69 balls to make 20.
Andy Clarke enjoyed a match-winning final return of 5-52 off 15.2 overs as the last five CBH wickets fell for 12 runs in an all-out tally of 145.
Chester must hope that with Grappenhall at home and Oxton away on their agenda, they can yet turn the tables in the two remaining games.
