RETURNING to form after a critical bad patch which had scuppered their title hopes during the previous month, Neston beat Bowdon by two wickets in a stirring final game at Parkgate to clinch runners-up spot in the ECB Premier Division of The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League.
To reach their best placing since moving from the Liverpool Competition in 1998, Neston replied with 229-8, Aussie Jack Smith 80, Chris Hackett 54, skipper Stan Clifford 43 not out. Earlier they had restricted old rivals Bowdon to 228-6, Richard Wilkinson 80 and Dominic Ball 47, while paceman Jon Farrow claimed 4-34.
After being presented with the championship trophy for the third season running, Oulton Park turned in a less than vintage performance at Chester Boughton Hall, yet a draw enabled them to finish 15 points clear of Neston with an undefeated record. Park recovered to post 228-9 in the maximum 60 overs, Jonny Guest 74, Guy Emmett 49 not out, Warren Goodwin 3-25, Alex Kegg 3-71. Chester reached 197-7 thanks to Matt Griffiths’ 53 and 44 from Goodwin, while spinners Nathan Dumelow took 4-85 and Chris Jones 3-42.
Alderley Edge’s diminutive Indian bating star Sohail Rauf followed up his 161 against Toft the previous week with a magnificent innings of 143 in a 90-run victory over relegated Christleton. This gives Rauf 1,103 runs for the season, a Premiership record. Mark Currie hit 59 to reach 978 in his side’s declared tally of 306-9, Paul Allen 4-111. Christleton were dismissed for 216, Guy Newell and Paul Allen both 45, while Mark Warnes claimed 4-40.
Widnes ended on a losing note at Toft, after being bowled out for 147, Toft replying with 149-5, Adam Carolan 53, Simon Hardstaff 51.
