CHESTER Boughton Hall had the better of a draw at in-form Hyde on Saturday as only a brave rearguard action from the hosts saved them from defeat.

Hall scented victory after posting a confident 277-5dec. But Hyde made it to safety on 211-7, helped by a resilient fifth-wicket stand of 110 between Chris Pilkington (65) and Danny Berry (51), as well as a useful 27no from number nine Danny Leech.

The day had started well for Hall, with skipper Jim Gillson winning the toss and electing to bat first before going on to compile a season’s best 94no.

Number three Eddie Roberts was also in the runs, scoring 83.

With Chester a seamer short, opening batsman Warren Goodwin was required to show his versatility by bolstering his team’s bowling attack. He has rarely bowled quicker and finished with excellent figures of 3-44.

Ranjan (3-62) was also in the wickets but Hyde’s middle order resistance helped them hold out for a draw.

Chester ended the weekend on a low note, being eliminated from the Cheshire Cup fourth round at Filkins Lane.

Visitors Alderley Edge restricted Hall to 154-9 off their 45 overs – some 20 to 30 runs short of a decent total. Gillson top scored with 30 and Ajit Ranjan struck a breezy 21.

Edge took just 25 overs to answer back with 157-1, Mark Currie and Alan Day putting on 137 for the first wicket.

In Saturday’s league action, NESTON did not lose too much ground in the championship race – despite being dismissed for the season’s lowest Premier League score of 58 and losing by 104 runs to Oxton.

Fortunately for Neston, none of the five clubs immediately below them managed to win either.

A fine innings of 73 from Sean Moore highlighted Oxton’s modest tally of 162 at Parkgate, Chris Fingan taking 5-62 and Jordan Free 3-22. But Neston were all at sea against the twin pace attack of Andy Birley (5-27) and Waqar Ahmed (5-30).

OULTON PARK’S recent winning run came to an end at Bowdon, where Lancashire Academy batsman Jordan Clark proved a match-winner with a magnificent innings of 95no.

Clark led the way as Bowdon replied with 201-4 in a speedy 42 overs to the reigning champions’ tally of 197 (Ben Spendlove 52).

In the Cheshire Cup, Park won a high-scoring game at Bollington by seven wickets, Ric Moore taking 3-35, then scoring 103.