ALL-CONQUERING Bowdon brushed Nantwich aside in Saturday's top-of-the-table clash and are now just one win away from a third title in four years.

The league leaders defeated the Dabbers by 69 runs at South Downs Road to register their 12th win of what is becoming a triumphant season, and now need only 17 points to retain the championship.

They didn't have it all their own way against a determined Nantwich side, and had Lancashire's Gary Yates not been dropped at slip in single figures and Jon Gray in the outfield on 10, Bowdon might not have attained their respectable total of 210-5 declared.

Yates went on to score 52 and Gray 47.

Barrington Browne was the pick of the Nantwich attack with 3-66.

Nantwich started well and were 73-1 when spinners Yates and Dominic Ball were introduced into the attack.

The spin twins turned the game and apart from David Celep's 42 - he was dropped on nought - and Jeff Maynard's 30, they struggled to reach 141 with Ball returning 6-56 and Yates 3-11.

Nantwich stay second - 59 points behind Bowdon - and Chester Boughton Hall remain in third spot.

Victory on the ground of bottom team Bramhall on Saturday will see Bowdon crowned champions.

In Division One, Alsager's recent poor run continued as they were bowled out for 99 at Cheadle Hulme as Phil Balderston picked up 5-13.

The Grove Park men won with six wickets in hand, despite James Warrington picking up 3-39.