Glen Batticciotto

WHILE Chester Boughton Hall were replacing Hyde as leaders of the ECB Premier League, Nantwich’s outstanding Australian batsman Glen Batticciotto passed 1,000 runs for the season with his sixth century in a mauling of Oxton at Whitehouse Lane to make it even tighter at the top.

The Queenslander now has 1,138 runs with a maximum of eight innings left to break the League record set up by his countryman Sean Prescott, who scored 1,478 for Widnes in 1994.This latest ton also equalled the premiership record of six in a season held by Warren Goodwin (CBH) and Lou Vincent, Nantwich’s 2010 Overseas star.

Nantwich amassed 292-4 in 51 overs, Rob Howell (102) partnering Batticciotto in a second wicket stand worth 239. Oxton were then bowled out for 159, Andy Gibson 39, Batticciotto, 3-35 also shining with the ball, in company with Jimmy Warrington, 3-55.

Hyde lost the leadership when were held to a loosing draw (10-15) at home by bottom club Alderley Edge with their last pair at the crease, closing on 178-9, Danny Berry 40, Tom Atkinson 5-50, Jason Whittaker 4-77. This was in reply to a bright 197-9 declared from Alderley, Adam Wildig top-scoring with 59 while Scott Kirwin took 5-72.

Kegg 6-78 takes Chester top

Veteran Alex Kegg was the enforcer in Chester’s six wickets home win against Grappenhall which propelled them back into pole position with a nine points lead. Aided by Warren Goodwin’s 3-34, Kegg dismissed Grappenhall for 189 (Tony Hurdley 39) with a magnificent 6-78 return. Chester responded with 192-4,Daron Cruikshank 61 not out, Goodwin (now wit h855 runs) 54 and Jordan Clark 44.

Neston ended a bad patch with a 30 run win over Oulton Park at Parkgate which takes them away from the relegation zone. Neston declared on 223-9, Luke Pavlinovitch scoring 72 and club skipper Andy Roberts 62 not out, while Danny Leech wheeled away to pocket 4-96. Polished Lancashire 2^nd XI left hander Louis Bentley, 75 was again Oulton’s batting star, but foud little support apart from Nick James, 34 and the innings closed at 193, Paul Stimson claiming 4-29 and promising 16 year old Dane Williams 4-40.

Urmston beat Macclesfield by six wickets at Moorside Road to edge into the top half of the table. Macclesfield declared on 208-8, Rob Keen and Rob Porter top-scoring with 32 against Adam Syddall’s 4-65. Urmston won comfortably at 210-4, thanks to Adam Landry, 68 and Lewis Jackson, 58 not out.

Toft had much the better of a draw (15 – 8) against Didsbury at Booth Park after declaring on 243-6, Pat Roberts 79 not out, Jonny Fawcett 4-81. Didsbury clung on at 176-9, Nigel Muirhead returning a smart 3-26.