CHESTER Boughton Hall tasted defeat on Saturday for the first time in the 2013 Vivio Cheshire County League Premier Division campaign.

Steve Ogilby’s side lost at Marple, who won the toss and opted to bat first on a damp wicket.

Chester made a good start, restricting Marple in all areas, and the score was 104-5 when Harry Killoran took his second wicket of the day.

But a missed run-out, along with some sensible batting, allowed Marple to recover. Sam Hudson (56) and Garry Cash (39) shared an 87-run partnership, taking the score to 191-6.

Marple managed to reach 222-8 by the 55th over, Killoran the pick of the bowlers with 4-60 off 15 overs.

Hall’s reply started badly when openers Tom Simmons (9) and Warren Goodwin (0) were removed early.

Guy Dunbavand (16) and Jordan Clark made a small partnership but wickets continued to fall, with only Clark (43) and Ross Dixon (33) showing any resistance.

The slow pitch was much to the liking of Marple’s key spinners who weaved their web. Veteran Andy Greasley had figures of 5-66 and Joe Cash 4-36 as Chester finished on 136 all out in 38 overs.

In Division One, CHRISTLETON have made a slow start and are still searching for their first victory of the campaign.

Their fifth league loss in a row came at Sale, who dominated the game at Dane Road.

Sale closed on 223-7, number seven batsman Grant Whittaker scoring 46 and Keith Wellings 40 as Iroshan De Silva pocketed 3-58.

Christleton mustered just 101 (Guy Newell 28, Taz Thorsen 5-37).

Rick Moore (91) and Louis Bentley (73) aided third-placed OULTON PARK in their rain-affected draw at Cheadle.

The visitors batted first and reached 221-8, with a flurry of wickets coming late in the innings as Oulton pushed for runs before captain Moore declared in the 36th over.

Spin duo Paul Sperring (4-58) and Will Holmes (3-78) did most of the damage, including picking up the wickets of Moore and Bentley.

Cheadle were left with 36 overs to bat but it was left to Holmes and Adam Wadsworth to secure a draw as the hosts struggled to sustain the required rate, losing wickets at regular intervals. Opening batsman Joe Prince (42) and Wilson (32) top scored for the home side, but it was in vain as they fell short of the required total.

Craig Williamson returned figures of 4-79 with support from Craig Douglas 2-40. A total of 27 overs were lost due to the wet weather.