OULTON Park completed a hat-trick of ECB Premier Division titles in The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League when an overwhelming 200-run victory at Widnes put them beyond reach of their challengers with one week of the campaign remaining.
Oulton’s powerful batting line-up ran up 275-5 in 55 overs, led by Chris Bassano (88) and Nathan Dumelow (46) before Widnes were rattled out for a miserly 75, Ben Gough claiming 3-11 and Richard Taylor 3-24.
Neston lost for the second successive week, this time by 63 runs at Alderley Edge, where the home side had two centurions in their Indian star Sohail Rauf (167) – the season’s highest premiership innings – and left-hander Alan Day (111).
The Neston attack lacked spearhead Chris Finegan, who opted to travel early to Northumberland for Cheshire’s Minor Counties title play-off starting the following day. With Brad Donellan (88) leading the way, Neston made a good fist of their reply, but were all out for 278, Alan Day completing a magnificent individual performance with 5-35. Runners-up is the highest position Stan Clifford’s Neston can now attain after a season of such high promise.
Hyde ended Urmston’s challenge with a six-wicket win. Bowdon beat Chester BH by 38 runs despite being dismissed for a modest 161 (Stephen Bramhall 51, Ollie Law 4-39). After a solid 69 from Warren Goodwin had taken Chester to 109-4, they lost their last six wickets for 14 runs, closing on 123 all out, Lancashire’s Gareth Cross claiming 4-2.
Nantwich won a high-scoring game against Toft despite their visitors running up a mammoth 283-5, to which Simon Hardstaff contributed 127 not out and 17-year-old Peter Roberts 88. In his final game before returning to Australia, David Tate cracked 131 not out and Rod Doyle 100 as the Dabbers eased home.
Bottom clubs Christleton and Bramhall, both already consigned to relegation, met with Christleton winning by a comfortable 64-run margin after declaring on 219-7.
