ALEX Kegg turned in his most profitable bowling spell of 2011 as Chester Boughton Hall strengthened their grip on first place in the Premier Division.

Kegg’s 7-58 helped Chester to an eight-wicket derby win over Oulton Park at Filkins Lane on Saturday.

And while the home side stretched their lead at the top – claiming five more points than second-placed Hyde and pulling clear of beaten Nantwich in third – Oulton Park pocketed 11 points in defeat to stay just above the relegation zone.

Away skipper Robin Taylor won the toss and his decision to bat first paid early dividends as Danny Leech and Ric Moore raced to 130 before Leech fell lbw to veteran Kegg for 50.

Louis Bentley and Moore continued to build on the good start, but when Moore (87) was bowled by Kegg, the Oulton innings suffered a wobble.

Bentley (32) helped his side over the 200 mark, but Kegg finished with season’s best figures and spinner Jack Williams 3-72 in a final total of 222.

Chester made light work of the reply as Warren Goodwin and Steve Ogilby added 82 before Ogilby went for 47.

Ollie Law joined Goodwin at the crease and the pair added 79 before Goodwin went to a skier for 62, his innings including three sixes and seven fours.

It was then left to Law and Jordan Clark to complete the rout as they added 67.

Law’s unbeaten 77 included four sixes and nine fours and Clark ended on 32 as the Chester hosts finished with 228-2.

Elsewhere, second-placed Hyde saw off Didsbury by six wickets while Nantwich, in third, lost at home to Macclesfield in a rain-affected contest.

NESTON’S poor form continued as they lost by five wickets at Toft.

They posted a modest 176, to which star opener Jack Smith contributed 109, his third century of the season.

Bright newcomer Rob Jones claimed 6-78 for Toft who, without a win since May 21, replied with 178-5.

In Division One, CHRISTLETON were inspired to victory by their new arrival from Delhi.

All-rounder Varun Sood, who has given the Little Heath club a boost since his arrival a month ago, was the standout player in his side’s four-wickets win at Bowdon.

The hosts were dismissed for 119, Iroshan de Silva taking 6-29 and Sood 3-32.

Sood then held Christleton’s reply together with an influential innings of 47 out of 120-6.

The Chester side are now seventh.