Twenty20

Chester Boughton Hall captain Lee Dixon believes there is ‘something special’ happening after they booked themselves a spot in the televised Twenty20 finals.

The Filkins Lane side claimed a 29-run triumph over Liverpool side Northern on Sunday in the regional finals to secure their place in the final four to contest the national title at Northampton on September 9 in front of the Sky TV cameras.

With the chance to shine on the national stage they have a chance of a trip to the Spanish resort of La Manga to play the winner of the Royal London clubs’ T20 competition.

“We’re all absolutely delighted, it was such a fantastic occasion,” said Dixon.

“Northern were superb as well and it was an excellent game of top-level club cricket that was played in the very best of spirits.

“It was played the way it should be.”

Hundreds of spectators came out to watch Hall claim the triumph, with Dixon and his brother Ross firing 42 and 38 respectively to see the home side to 152-4.

Northern couldn’t better that target in their response with Mark Rowland (2-20), Jack Williams (2-22) and Warren Goodwin (2-37) the chief tormentors as the visitors’ challenge was ended at 123-8.

“In Twenty20 you have to have a little bit of luck and we have had guys who have stepped up to the mark and showed their class when other guys have been missing,” said Dixon, whose side will face Middlesbrough side Great Ayrton in the final four next month.

“It was great that so many people came out to support us and that we were able to do the business.

“There’s something special going on at this club and people are wanting to become part of what is happening here.

“We can’t wait to play in front of those cameras and we’ll be doing our level best to try and get the right result.”

In the Cheshire League Premier Division, Hall kept up the pressure on top-of-the-table Hyde with a 75-run triumph at Nantwich.

Ross Dixon hit 44no as the visitors made 170-8 , with Warren Goodwin knocking 43.

Josh Henderson’s superb 6-45 was the catalyst for a Boughton Hall victory as the Nantwich batting challenge was ended at 95ao in the 28th over.

Chester Boughton Hall ladies were beaten by Wistaston Village in their T20  Cheshire Women’s League title decider.

Cheshire League

Christleton continue to have relegation worries after falling to a four-wicket defeat at home to table-topping Macclesfield in Division One.

In a contest reduced to 35 overs owing to the wet weather, Christleton opted to bat first, with Iftikhar Naseer’s 42 helping them to 158-7.

Macc wrapped up the win and ensured that they remained top of the pile after John Birchall’s 58 played its part in a match-winning total of 159-6 in the 33rd over.

Christleton captain Iroshan de Silva was the pick of the home bowlers as he took 4-72.

Oulton Park’s Rick Moore hit 165no and Daniel Leech 102no as they claimed a winning draw at Brooklands.

Batting first, Moore and Leech combined superbly to fire Park to 273-0 declared from 49 overs.

But 216-8 in their response in the 51st over ensure some cheer for the home side. Tom Hyslop was the chief wicket-taker for Park, claiming 5-70.

Dan Power’s 54no was the standout performance for Tattenhall as they breezed their way to victory at Poynton in Division Two.

Power was also in impressive form facing the Poynton batsmen as he took 3-16 and Dave Shewring 3-24 as the visitors skittled their hosts for 132 in the 47th over.

Glenn Coppack’s 30no and 30 from Sam Green aided the efforts of Power as Tattenhall lost just three wickets for their 135 runs, claiming victory in the 39th over of their response.

Alvanley kept their slim hopes of promotion alive with a five-wicket success at home to Heaton Mersey on Saturday.

Mike Rowlands and Kenny Roberts both took three wickets apiece as they limited the visitors to 162-8.

Knocks of 39 from Andy Bennion and Stephen Charles helped them to 166-5 and the triumph.

Tacs Partnership Cheshire League

Not even a career best 140no from skipper Chris Wright could save Chester County Officers from defeat at Ashton on Mersey. They took 11 points but remain in the bottom two of the TACS Cheshire League top tier with three games left. 

Chester skipper Chris Wright opted to bat, opening the batting himself  and, partnered by the obdurate Steve Holland, put up 106 before Holland departed for 30.

Wright’s club record score, however, helped Chester put up a decent 199-5 declared.

But the benign nature of the pitch was put into context after tea as Ashton’s Graham Thomason smashed his way to 103 not out in 58 balls. Ashton were unstoppable and cruised to victory with the loss of two wickets.

Malpas lost by 29 runs at Mobberley. In bowler-friendly conditions the hosts chose to bat first. At 78-7 it looked a bad call with Malpas opening bowlers Grove and Maneesha doing damage.

But a stand of 43 for the next wicket changed the picture with Nathan Wood unbeaten on 50 as Mobberley rallied to 144 all out. In reply Malpas lot their first five wickets for just 39.

Adrian Stubbs stuck around for 58 and some big hitting by Phil Rowlandson threatened a recovery but their demise saw the end of Malpas hopes as they slumped to 115.

Bottom side Oakmere lost at Runcorn despite Guy Groves’ gallant unbeaten 46. In a reduced overs match, hosts Runcorn made 120 with Oakmere falling at 110 all out.

Bunbury enjoyed victory at home, reaching 127-4 in reply to Langley’s 123. Also in division two, Barrow lost by six wickets at Disley.

Cheshire Alliance

Saughall’s promotion hopes were ended with a 10-wicket defeat by runaway Cheshire Alliance leaders Port Sunlight.

Visiting Sunlight inserted Saughall to bat first in drizzly, overcast conditions and when Martin Huxley (eight) was bowled and key batsmen Adam Griffiths and Chris Andrews were dismissed for just two runs between them, it set the tone for the afternoon’s play.

James Huxley (28), Mike Andrews (12) and Lawrence Gotts (11) tried to repair the damage but Saughall succumbed for just 67 in the 31st over.

Ben McPherson hit 61 runs from 37 balls as the visitors won in double quick time to end Saughall’s promotion aspiration.

Stand-in skipper Mike Andrews said: “We didn’t adapt to the conditions and were soundly beaten by an excellent side.

“We’ve had a great season so it’s important that we pick ourselves up and get back to winning ways next week”.

Elswhere in Division One, both the Groves and Ellesmere Port had their games cancelled owing to the wet weather.

Westminster Park kept their promotion bid on track with victory at home to Knutsford in the Cheshire Alliance Division Two.

Charan Kondoor produced his best bowling performance yet as he took an excellent 4-25, aided by 3-34 from Krunal Singh, as the hosts halted the Knutsford batting charge 113ao in the 42nd over.

Despite a modest total to beat, the hosts had opener Naseer Majid to thank as he blasted 73, including 12 fours, to see his side to victory.

Majid was the only Park player to reach double figures as they claimed victory with 115-6 in the 26th over.

Frodsham suffered a setback in their bid to claim a promotion spot after they slipped to a disappointing six-wicket defeat at Offerton.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first and Tom Wilkinson (38), Matt Williamson (32) and Richard Warburton (30) helped them to a modest 159-9 in 45 overs.

But an opening 70 from Offerton’s Ian Bates and 43 from Karl Martin set the home side on their way to a match-winning total of 162-4.