Cheshire League

After seeing their form stutter in recent weeks, Chester Boughton Hall sent a warning shot out to their title rivals on Saturday following a convincing triumph at home to Bramhall.

Last season’s Premier Division champions followed up their win at Neston the previous weekend with an impressive display that leaves them in touching distance of leaders Toft and second-placed Hyde, who Hall host on Saturday.

They grabbed an eight-wicket victory over mid-tabel Bramhall at Filkins Lane which was achieved by mid-afternoon following an 11amstart. Harry Killoran (5-36) and Jack Williams (4-30) did the damage as Hall dismissed the visitors for 119 inside 19 overs.

Williams and young Cheshire starlet Killoran bowled seven maiden overs between them as Hall showed the kind of form that saw them crowned as champions of the division 12 months ago.

Warren Goodwin notched 65no and Mark Rowlands fired 55 to see the home side safely to victory in the 18th over, leaving them just four points off the top of the league.

Struggling Neston registered their biggest score of the season (296-6) as they claimed a winning draw at second-place Hyde.

David Hurst hit 104, Richard Wilkinson 70 and Dane Williams 50 as the visitors belied their lowly league standing.

But the hosts responded with an aggressive spell at the crease, notching 271-9.

Christleton put in a battling display but were undone at league leaders Cheadle in Division One.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first, dismissing the opening duo of Uzair Walters and Iftikhar Naseer for just four runs.

Christleton captain Iroshan Da Silva was in impressive form withb the bat as he made a stand of 87. Josh Morgan-Jones helped to recover the challenge after it fell away in the middle order, hitting 45 before being bowled by Dan Brown, who took 4-56 against the visiting batsmen.

Christleton were eventually dismissed for 189 in the 46th over to leave their lofty hosts an achievable target to reach.

Cheadle were steady throughout their order with Paul Sperring’s 54no their biggest score as they  reached 193-6 to take the  game in the 52nd over. Naseer and Da Silva both took two wickets apiece for Christleton.

In Division Two, Alvanley had the better of as high-scoring draw at home to Bredbury St Marks.

The home side won the toss amnd elected to bat first, posting 222-6. Will Speakman hit an excellent 69no which was added to by knocks of 43 from Stephen Charles, 38 from Andy Bennion and 32 from Chris Charles. Hassan Nasir 4-48 was the standout performance from the visiting bowlers.

However, the visitors were bullish in their response and William Hayes knocked 61 to help them on their way to 206-8 and a share of the spoils.

The draw keeps Alvanley in fourth place in the league.

Tattenhall remain in second place despite managing only 14 draw points from their visit to third-placed Stockport.

Tattenhall batsman Ollie Thompson top scored with 82 in their 211-8, while the Cale Green men responded with 158-8.

Mark Green top-scored for the hosts with 44no while Tattenhall’s bowling offensive was led by Owen Williamson who was in superb form, taking 5-20.

TACS Partnership Cheshire Cricket League

Chester County Officers suffered a blow in their bid to steer clear of the Division One drop zone after suffering a six-wicket defeat at home to Prestbury.

With rain forecast for later in the afternoon, Chester decided to bat first in the basement battle encounter, with opener Dave Downham getting them off to a solid start with 54.

Chris Wright (22) set a platform for Roger Watt 71no and Scott Adams (20) to up the scoring rate and post a competitive 190-6 for the home side.

However, Prestbury came out all guns blazing after tea in an effort to beat the rain and captain Tom Livesley led from the front as Officers had to wait until the 11th over for a breakthrough with Rhys Thomas bowling Adam Philips (16) with the score on 54.

Chances were few and far between and despite Mike Jones (3-28) capturing three late wickets, Livesley completed a fine century to lead his side home, just before the rain arrived.

In a rain affected game, Malpas drew at Hale Barns. Maneesha Nissanka starred with the bat as he knocked 69 to help his side to 197-6dec.

The visitors had struggled against the Hale Barns batting order but found their rhythm late on with Nissanka taking 5-64 as the hosts finished on 163-8.

Alex Hodges opening 54 couldn’t stop Oakmere from falling to defeat at Lindow.

Matt Norton (5-52) had helped the visitors dismiss their hosts for 155ao, but despite Hodges early efforts, they couldn’t maintain the chase and were skittled for 104.

In Division Two, Alan Ritchie notched a superb 75no as Kingsley claimed a deserved 93-run victory at home to Chelford.

Ably supported by Owen Rowlands (34) the hosts racked up 204-8 in the 43rd over. Travis Martin’s excellent 5-60 helped to dismiss the visitors for 111.

Barrow firmly in the promotion hunt after a three-wicket victory over fourth-placed Woodford.

Visiting Barrow dismissed their hosts for 130, with Matthew Parks taking 5-32. Parks then starred with bat as he fired 61 to see Barrow to 131-7 to claim the win.

Cholmondeley grabbed an important win at Barnton as, taking the triumph after reaching 174-7 in their run chase, with Sam Robinson hitting 60.

After being dimissed for 179, Bunbury were beaten at home by Disley, who reached 183 with the loss of just two wickets. James Bettany was the standout performer for the defeated hosts with his knock of 38.

Cheshire Alliance

Saughall returned to winning ways with a comprehensive victory at home to Old Parkonians.

The Wirral team won the toss and elected to bat first in overcast conditions, a decision they were made to regret when Mike Andrews ripped through the top-order.

When Brian Huxley took a sharp catch at gulley to dismiss the skipper Greg Lindop (11) and the dangerous left-hander Mike Hitchell (10) was trapped lbw, Old Parkonians were 29-4.

Mike Andrews took season best figures of 6-41 as the visitors were bowled out for just 65 while Lawrence Gotts bowled with equal menace to claim 3-20.

The run chase was over in just over 17 overs, Saughall reaching 66 for the loss of two wickets.

Ben Salisbury (17) played some eye-catching strokes before he was trapped plumb in front with the score on 41 before Adam Griffiths (29no) shepherded the team home and it was left to Gareth Roberts to hit the winning runs with a flowing cover drive.

After two weeks without a win the 25 points helped to resurrect Saughall’s title challenge.

Elsewhere the Groves were beaten by seven wickets at Stretton.

Despite winning the toss  the Groves batted and were bowled out for 87 with Mike Garvey’s stand of 32 as good as it got for Mike Caulfield’s men, who were put to the sword by M Amir’s 60 as Stretton reached 88 for the loss of just three wickets.

Ellesmere Port were beaten by 79 runs at Wilmslow. The home side were dismissed for 151 but Port couldn’t muster a response and found themselves skittled for 79.

In Division Two, Frodsham defeated visiting Heaton Mersey Village by seven wickets. The visitors batted first and were bowled out for 124 with Richard Warburton taking 4-15.

Frodsham won the game after making 125-3 with Duncan Chriscoli notching a solid 41 from his spell at the crease.

At Westminster Park, the home side beat Tranmere Victoria by 64 runs. Park were bowled out for 189. In reply, Tranmere Victoria were dismissed for 125.