NESTON’S hopes of lifting the County League Premier Division title took another knock on Saturday.
The deposed leaders lost out on the final delivery of a tense clash with rivals Nantwich, who have now won eight games on the bounce.
Neston came up against former New Zealand Test all-rounder Lou Vincent in commanding form, the Auckland man taking 7-57 to hold the visitors to a declared tally of 216-8 (Jack Smith 54).
In a match reduced to 96 overs by heavy morning rain in South Cheshire, Nantwich responded with 217-3 by scoring 23 off the final two overs and two off the last delivery with the large crowd on their feet.
With a hard-hit, unbeaten 92, Vincent this time starred with the bat alongside Rob Howells (81) in a crucial second-wicket stand worth 123.
In Cheshire Alliance Division Three, Capenhurst (176ao) drew at Glazebury 2nds (124-9).
