Chester Boughton Hall 1st XI

A BOUNDARY four off the last ball by tail-ender Ollie Thompson earned Chester Boughton Hall a crucial 25 points victory at Hyde to shoot his side back into contention for their first ECB Premier League title. And almost certainly ended Hyde’s hopes of achieving the same target.

With leaders Nantwich stymied by rain at Grappenhall, Hyde and Chester waited until the weather cleared to play a thrilling 62 overs match at Werneth Low. Hyde declaring at a rapid 202-3 off 34 overs, James Duffy 70, Rob Woolley 53 not out, Dan Walker 38, Tom Twiney 35, Warren Goodwin 3-53.

Left with 28 overs, Chester were given a flying start by Steve Ogilby’s 99, followed by Daren Cruikshank, 33 and Ollie Law, 31. Wickets then fell to part-time Hyde bowler Duffy who claimed 4-22 as CBH descended from 180-2 to 200-8. That was when Thompson came in to crash his last gasp boundary and snatch victory.

CBH chairman Jim Law commented: “Hyde are to be congratulated for working so hard to get the game on after heavy rain , then players of both sides got on with it in difficult circumstances in a true sporting spirit”.

Nantwich’s lead has now been whittled down to five points ahead of Chester whom they play in a key fixture at Whitehouse Lane next Saturday. Hyde are third a further 32 points behind and with only three games left, have to be regarded as rank outsiders.

Hyde make amends by reaching Cockspur t20 Finals

HYDE put Saturday’s disappointment behind them when they scored an impressive four wickets win on the ground of Northern Leaguers Kendal on Sunday in the North-West Regional final of the Barbados Cockspur Cup t20. They can now look forward to a memorable day out in National Finals Day at Chelmsford on Monday, September 19.

Hyde have drawn to play North-East premier champions Chester-le-Street, while Ealing (Middlesex League) take on Cornwall’s St. Just. The winners go on to meet in the final.

Hyde put their Kendal in to bat and fine bowling, notably by skipper James Duffy, 2-23 and his 2^nd XI counterpart Joe Dawber, 1-18 restricted the Cumbrians to a below par 110-6, Duffy taking the best of several fine catches with a great diving effort to remove Scotland international Chris Miller.

Hyde appeared to be coasting at 64-2 off 10 overs (Dave Fitzsimmons 18, Scott Kirwin 17, Danny Berry 16), then lost three quick wickets and were struggling at 68-5 off 12.

It was then that Cambridge UCCE captain Rob Woolley – earlier able to bowl only two overs due to a leg strain - showed his experience. He piloted his side home with an unbeaten 30, the day’s highest individual score on a slow, dull wicket, at 113-6 with eight balls remaining..

The Werneth Low club expect to be supported by an even larger large posse of fans at Essex’s county HQ, which is to be televised live by Sky.

NESTON EDGE WIRRAL DERBY

Neston enjoyed the upper hand in their Wirral derby against Oxton with a 17-11 points draw at Townfield Lane which lifts them comfortably clear of the relegation zone.

Neston declared at 207-8, David Hurst 55, Ben Williams 55, Mark Rowland 3-42. To which Oxton responded with 173-9, Rowland 44, Lee Dixon 32, Andy Gibson 31, Chris Hackett 3-53.

Umpire Rick Davis commended Oxton for their efforts to get the ground ready for a late start. “When I arrived, it looked an impossible task”.

In another game reduced to 88 overs, Alderley Edge lost at home to Didsbury, but stay 11 points clear of Oulton Park, who remain in 11th spot after the cancellation of their game at Macclesfield.

Batting first, Didsbury declared on 196-5, Paul Sperring 41 and Alderley Edge fell 40 runs short at 156, Alan Day 40, left arm spinner Jonny Fawcett returning 5-42.

Aussie batsman Aaron Sayers top-scored with 70 in Toft’s 179-6 at Urmston, a match of only 60 overs. Seventeen year old Adam Carraher took 3-43. Urmston replied with 163-7, Chris Watson 58, Sumit Panda 50, Joe Lomas 3-28.