CENTURIONS Steve Paulsen and Chris Simpson gave Dabbers more reasons to be proud with an awesome display of batting against the defending champions, on Saturday.

While Nantwich Town FC celebrated winning the FA Vase, Queensland left-hander Paulsen and Simpson were making headlines of their own against Oulton Park in the ECB Premier League.

The Aussie fired his way to a spectacular 140 off just 83 balls, while Simpson (103) completed a terrible day at the office for the Oulton attack.

Nantwich were the only team to beat Park last season, and it was only the resolute manner of Oulton's reply that prevented a repeat performance, at Whitehall Lane.

Captain Chris Hampshire, who has been called up to the Cheshire squad, contributed an impressive 40 of his own, but even Simpson's fine century was over-shadowed by the brilliance of Paulsen's innings.

Jeff Maynard weighed in with 14 as Nantwich posted 313-4. Cheshire spin-ner Nathan Dumelow returned 2-105 for the visitors.

Oulton dug in and with a typically determined 69 from Danny Leech, and a match-saving two not out in 18 overs from Mike Bentham, they closed on 137-8.

Paulsen completed a highly satisfactory day with 3-21, while Barrington Browne (2-52), Phil Stockton (2-20) and Andy Wilgoose (1-21) all contributed.

Even admiring Oulton chairman Roy Ramsbottom admitted: 'That was a sensational innings - we shall see much more of Paulsen.'

In Division One, Alsager scraped a draw at Poynton. The hosts declared at 212-4 after 48 overs, with Derwin Thompson hitting an impressive 85 not out.

Gareth Rowe, Mohammed Arshad and Simon Dyer all claimed a wicket each.

Skipper Steve Armitage (51) led the charge in Alsager's reply, but his teammates failed to follow his lead, leaving Dyer (3no) and Alan Stancliffe (0no) to hold on at 136-8.