TRIPLE challengers Chester Boughton Hall, Nantwich and Neston all have golden opportunities to close the gap behind leaders Bowdon on Saturday as they pursue their bids for the Murray Smith Cheshire County League ECB Premier Division title.
Bowdon face a difficult task on Macclesfield's seaming pitch at Victoria Road where few visiting teams master the pace of top wicket-taker Mark Hillaby.
Second-placed Boughton Hall host Alderley Edge, Nantwich, third, take on bottom team Bramhall and Neston, in fourth place, play at Parkgate against a Didsbury team who have suddenly become relegation candidates.
Ches ter's seven- match unbeaten run came to an abrupt halt at Bowdon last weekend and their confidence may have taken a knock, but skipper Alex Kegg points out that his team came up against Lancashire spinner Gary Yates (7-28) on a wearing pitch.
"Yates is a class performer, the like of which we're not likely to meet again this season," said Kegg, who doubles up as groundsman at Filkins Lane.
Neston have lost their last two games, , while visitors Didsbury have gone six games without a win.
Oxton moved above Didsbury last weekend with a Neil Cross-inspired victory over Bramhall, but they will find free-scoring Oulton Park a different proposition at Townfield Lane.
Two of the league's leading Australian players appear in this game and the clash of Oxton's young leg-spinner Robbie Stafford, with 34 wickets and Oulton's Melbourne-based batsman Andy Kent, 525 runs, is likely to provide an individual highlight.
In the First Division, second-placed Widnes will expect to improve their promotion prospects away to mid-table Alsager.
But Upton, fifth, are seeing their hopes of playing at a higher level next season fading after a bad patch. Nick Rivett's team host Warrington, who are fighting for their lives at the other end of the table.
In Division Two, things are looking good for leaders Chris-tleton and second-placed Birkenhead Park, especially after Irby's prospects have faded following two serious defeats.
