Hall hoping to stretch record
CRICKET: Chester Boughton Hall captain Jim Gillson is aiming to extend his team’s record-breaking run of victories to a magnificent seven matches, writes Dave Powell.
The County League leaders defeated Oxton by two wickets on Saturday to become the first side to win their opening six games since the Premier Division was formed in 1999.
Club skipper Gillson, nursing a suspected cracked finger, battled through the pain barrier at Filkins Lane to post an invaluable 33no and see Hall over the finish line.
“Saturday was an incredibly pleasing day for the whole club,” said Gillson, who suffered the injury after the ball struck his finger while he was fielding at slip. “Despite the injury, it was nice to be able to contribute to getting the victory and breaking the record.”
There have been longer runs without defeat in the Premier Division – Bowdon went the entire 2000 campaign without suffering a loss and Oulton Park did likewise in 2006 and 2007 – but neither won their first six games.
Hall travel to Urmston this Saturday with Gillson eager to stretch his team’s record run to seven.
“Urmston will be a bit more nervous about facing us this season than they may have been last time out,” said the skipper, who will be back in the Hall line-up despite his injury. “We are playing well and are confident that we will compete and, fingers crossed, be able to extend our run.”
At Filkins Lane on Saturday, a magnificent 94 from Oxton’s teenage number eight Ross Dixon helped the visitors to 216-9 (Daron Cruikshank 4-77).
In reply, Gillson used his experience to steer Chester to 217-8. Cruikshank and Warren Goodwin weighed in with 54 each.
More cricket – pages 86-87.
