Cricket: Boughton Hall suffer at the hands of Toft strike-bowler Kitzinger

AN astonishing bowling performance tore through Chester Boughton Hall’s batsmen and derailed their hopes of recording their first Cheshire County League Premier Division win of 2009.

Hall were happy to restrict visiting Toft to 159ao after a typically bountiful performance from Alex Kegg (6-45)

But if Kegg’s performance was good, Rupert Kitzinger’s for Toft was phenomenal.

He took 8-44 and despite Warren Goodwwin’s 41 and skipper Jim Gillson’s 29, it was that performance which decided the game as Hall were all out for 116.

“We are realistic,” said Gillson. “Rupert was on fire and sometimes you can’t counter a form player.

“We are not worrying yet. We are not among the league’s big spenders and a mid-table finish would represent a good season for us.

“The next few weeks we play teams around us and that will give us a good marker for the campaign.”

Another team whose batting line-up struggled on Saturday was CHRISTLETON.

They lost their Division One clash with Urmston by 64 runs after restricting the visitors to an achieveable 204-7 total.

Christleton were all out for 140, skipper Paul Allen scoring an unbeaten 54 despite coming in at number eight.

“When I’m coming in down there and making a score like that you know there’s something wrong,” said Allen.

“We have already had a chat about the result. It is disappointing and individuals need to look at their game but the response has at least been the right one.

“We are looking again at our tactics and there are players to come back to spice up the competition for places.

“But this is not the end of the world. We have a good squad and hopefully we can shake off the cobwebs sooner rather than later.”

Nathan Dumelow continued his fine early-season form as Oulton Park beat Macclesfield in the County League Premier Division.

He hit 68 as Park made 258 (Danny Leech 52, Rick Moore 49).

In reply, Macclesfield made just 128 (James Hawley 6-105, Dumelow 3-17).

Neston inflicted a first defeat of the season on Widnes. Neston put on a 216-5 (David Hurst 52, Jack Smith 50).

Widnes, batting experts so far this term, crumbled for 149ao (Chris Finegan 4-39).

In Division Two Tattenhall declared on 168-8 (A Morris 44no, M Roberts 37) but Brooklands reached 169-7.

Oakmere’s tough start to life continued as they lost to Birkenhead Park.

Paul Hutchinson hit 45 for as Oakmere made 154ao but Birkenhead strolled to 155-2.