Warren Goodwin on his way to an unbeaten 149

WITH the half-way mark in the season reached, Chester Boughton Hall’s ECB Premier League lead was cut to just two points when they failed to dislodge the Neston      tail-enders in a high-scoring game at Filkins Lane.

Warren Goodwin’s magnificent unbeaten 149, plus 57 from Steve Ogilby in an opening stand worth 119 highlighted Chester’s declaration at a massive 303-3 in 50 overs, with Jordan Clark, 40 and Daron Cruikshank, 31 not out offering good support.

In Neston’s reply, Jack Smith scored 64, David Hurst 52 and Mark Stewart 41, but at 251-9 they faced certain defeat, only for Dave Manchett, 22 and Paul Stimson, 13 to stand their ground with an unbroken partnership of 34 to close on 285-9 in 60 overs. For Chester, teenage leg spinner Jack Williams took 5-61 and Lancashire pace starlet Chris Connolly 3-74.

Hyde continue to stake their first title claim, beating Oulton Park by six wickets at Werneth Low after dismissing their visitors for 184, Nick James 81, Scott Kirwin 5-62. Hyde knocked off the runs in 30 overs, led by Dave Fitzsimmons 41 and Aussie Corey Rutgers 37.

Nantwich, the third of the leading contenders, needed a last wicket stand of 25 to win a high-scoring game at Toft, the Knutsfordians setting them a big target after declaring at 246-8, Adam Carolan 63 not out, Aaron Sayers 57, Toby Drummond 51, Alex Matthews 4-38. Nantwich wickets tumbled after tea, principally to the off-spin of Nigel Muirhead, 5-79, but prolific Aussie batsman Glen Batticciotto was unmoved and an innings of 110 not out, his fifth century of the season - bringing his tally to 862 at an average of 107.75 - plus a stubborn two not out from Barrington Browne, saw the Dabbers squeeze home with seven balls to spare and a 25 points return.

Oxton move up

Oxton moved up to fourth with an impressive 118 runs home win over struggling Grappenhall, who drop to 11^th place. Andy Gibson and Lee Dixon both scored 41, Mark Rowland 36 and Tom Marsland 34 in Oxton’s declared tally of 223-8, Garry Burns 3-27. Grappenhall slipped to 103 all out, Richard Green 36, Rowland completing a fine match with 5-22 and Ross Dixon 3-8.

Macclesfield won an exciting game by four runs at home to bottom club Alderley Edge. The Macc batsmen were below par in a tally of 170, Ben Morrison 45, left arm spinner Mark Warnes taking a career-best 7-45. Alderley needed five to win with two wickets in hand, but were bowled out for 166, Jack Roodt 49, Jack Ward 3-33, Tom Barron 3-41.

Urmston’s recent upsurge ended with a 39 runs home defeat at the hands of Didsbury who posted 204-8 batting first, M. Marfani 61not out, Adam Syddall 3-66, Jay Dyball 3-71. Urmston were dismissed for 165 by spinners Sperring, who took 4-8 off 14.2 overs, including seven consecutive maidens and Jonnie Fawcett 3-57.