AN unbeaten 119 from Jordan Clark was not enough for Chester Boughton Hall as the Premier Division challengers suffered a shock home defeat to bogey side Urmston.
Clark’s superb innings had helped Chester to 258-5, but their bowling and fielding were below par and the away side took victory in the final over.
The day started well for Chester when they won the toss and, with one eye on the weather, batted first.
Although Daron Cruickshank went early on for seven, Warren Goodwin and Ollie Law added 46 for the second wicket before Goodwin – on his return following injury – edged one to the keeper for 26.
Law compiled 58 against fine bowling from Adam Syddall and Sumit Panda, he and Clark adding 91. Clark upped the tempo and fired 100 which included 12 fours and three sixes. Steve Ogilby’s excellent 35 boosting the score to 258-5, Clark on 119no.
Confident Chester then got off to a fine start with Cruickshank and Chris Connolly removing both openers with the score on 35.
But as the attack toiled in the gloom, Urmston gained momentum with Panda hitting 50 and Lewis Jackson scoring a match-winning 100 at reach 260-5. Cruickshank ended with 3-32 but Chester face an uphill task to take the championship with four games left.
Nantwich stretched their lead at the summit with a 25-point win over third-placed Hyde, who host Chester this Saturday.
