Chester Boughton Hall swept to the top of the Cheshire County League Premier Division table with a convincing nine-wicket win at Marple.

Batting first on a tricky pitch, Chester got off to a flyer as Warren Goodwin (60) and Mark Rowland put on 117 for the first wicket.

However, with the introduction of the spinners, life got a lot tougher and wickets fell regularly.

It was left to Ross Dixon (37) to steer his side to 211-9 declared as Elliot Young finished with a fine 6-71 and the wily Andy Greasley 3-57.

With young leg-spinner Jack Williams back in the Chester ranks after the exam season, the visitors were confident of pulling off victory.

Yet it was the pace attack of Ash Davis (2-17) and Ian Linwood (3-23) who caused the early damage. Eventually, Williams took over with 3-35 and Ross Dixon capped an all round performance with 3-5 as Chester got home. There was even time for a stumping from his brother Lee, who had to take over behind the stumps as regular keeper Rowland suffered a finger injury.

Rowland’s misfortune was the only blot on the day for Boughton Hall, who host Bowdon this Saturday.

In Division One’s match of the day, Oulton Park lost their unbeaten record to leaders Sale.

Put in, Oulton reached 220-6, Danny Leech top scoring with 72, But Sale topped that at 221-5, skipper Chris Canning making 83 and Tyrone Lawrence 63.

Christleton recorded a five-wicket win at home to Davenham after their visitors had run up 225-5 (Tom Hunt 77, Chris Hornby 65no). Christleton replied with 228-5, their top scorers being Tufail Talah (61), Rob Marks (60) and the highly consistent Matt Renwick (44no).

Tattenhall lost by 99 runs at Urmston, who posted 238-6 (Calum Turner 86). Tattenhall were bowled out for 139 (Dan Power 52, Zeeshan Assi 4-36).

In Divison Two, Alvanley were beaten by six wickets at Mobberley.

Alvanley lost yet another toss – and were asked to bat on a sopping wet track.

Much credit should go to Mike Rowlands (21) and Will Speakman (14) for their determination to stay at the crease in extremely difficult conditions. They both fell LBW with the score on 38, and Alvanley dipped to 57-5 before Simon Gee (37no) and Andy Bennion (62no) hauled the score to 151-5. In the last six overs, the pair blasted 59, mixing power with clever placement in an unbeaten stand worth 92. Bennion’s 62no came from just 54 balls.

In Mobberley’s innings after tea, a frugal spell from Chris Charles and skillful performance from Rob Fisher were the highlights for Alvanley – but they were unable to contain Charlie Neild, who cut loose on a drying wicket.

His decisive 88no – added to earlier bowling figures of 3-51 – took the game away from Alvanley and condemned them to a third loss of the season.

TACS PARTNERSHIP CHESHIRE LEAGUE

Chester County Officers put in a much improved display to win Saturday’s Division Two clash at Winnington Park.

Skipper Chris Wright put the home side in to bat on a green wicket and, from the off, the bowlers dominated.

Pace twins Scott Latimer (0-5) and Rhys Thomas (3-37) repeatedly beat the bat and were unlucky to send only three batsman back. Gutsy batting by Barnes (32) and Wales (35) pulled the innings round but once Alex Kerrison (4-21) dismissed them, Winnington Park crumpled to 98 all out.

The Officers’ batting has not been a strong point this season, but the new left/right-hander opening combination of Graham Dodd (6) and Stuart Putson (43) showed true grit.

Nerves jangled when CCO dipped to 63-4, but Wright (25no) played a key role before Scott Latimer took the Officers to a winning 102-5 with a huge six into the adjoining chemical works and another big drive over the fielders.

An unbeaten century stand by Lymm OP’s Nafees Din (54no) and Shazhad Butt (54no) proved to be Bunbury’s undoing. The pair’s heroics helped their side to a winning 140-3 in reply to Bunbury’s 134ao.

Elsewhere, Oakmere (120ao) came up short in their run-chase at home to Ashley (134-7dec) while Kingsley (109-1) were clear winners at home to Barnton (108ao).

In Division One, Barrow (114ao) won at Lindow (77ao) while Malpas (79ao) went down at Poynton (190-2dec).

Meanwhile, in Division Three, Cholmondeley won a low-scoring clash with Winsford, scoring 74-8 in reply to the hosts’ 73ao. Will Hockenhull (28) played a key role.

UNICORNS FINALS DAY

Cheshire T20 skipper Lee Dixon said he was ‘thrilled’ as his side booked their place in the Dukes Unicorns Finals Day at Banbury CC on July 12.

Convincing wins over Northumberland and Cumberland at a blustery Chester Boughton Hall on Sunday put Cheshire in with a chance of national glory.

The new competition saw Dixon field a much-changed, specialist team that included no fewer than seven players from the host club.

Regular skipper Danny Woods returns to the helm on Sunday as Cheshire begin their three-day Unicorns Championship programme by facing Shropshire at Whitchurch CC.