Jimmy Warrington with 7-46

It was Bowlers’ Day for a change in the ECB Premier League on Saturday, especially for Jimmy Warrington, whose 7-46 return from 21 blistering overs blew Didsbury out of the water and delivered 22 key points for reigning champions Nantwich as they forged ahead at the top of the table.

The average total score over six games was 151-7 and neither side reached that total at Wilmslow Road where the Dabbers had to scrap hard to reach 150 in 58 overs, Ray Doyle holding the innings together with a priceless 54 not out against Andy Windle, 4-31 and Nick Anderson, 4-54.This proved 29 runs too many for Didsbury whose batsmen had no answer to the pace and accuracy of Cheshire’s Jimmy Warrington who became the first Premiership bowler to top 50 wickets.

Chester Boughton Hall also found run-scoring difficult at Oxton and they also had to scrap for the 20 points which keeps them in second place. Oxton were all out for 124, Matthew Griffiths 55 against the pace of Daron Cruikshank, 5-69 and the swing and accuracy of Alex Kegg, 4-45. Lancashire batsman Jordan Clark rescued CBH after tea, his fine innings of 66 edging his side home at 125-8.

Berry fails to save Hyde. Hyde suffered their first defeat in 14 games since May 14 in another game in which the ball was generally on top. At Urmston. the home side totalled 193-8, Chris Watson 47, Craig Grindley 40, Danny Cranmer 4-51. In reply, Hyde slumped to 89-8 before Danny Berry came in to give a powerful display of hitting before being last out for 77 at 169, 24 runs short.

Oulton Park fell to the foot of the table for the first time when they were outplayed at Grappenhall, losing by eight wickets to their relegation rivals. Oulton were all out for 119, Louis Bentley 31, Grappenhall paceman Garry Burns enjoying a spell of 5-4 off four overs before closing with 5-20. Good batting from Ian Barnes, 49 and Adam Roylance, 38, both not out, then carried Grappers home – and one place up the table.

Alderley Edge’s improvement continued with a massive 184 run 25 – 2 points home win over Neston. John Steele, 118 and Alan Day, 101 set the tone with a second wicket stand worth 183. Neston lost two players injured and Chris Finegan, was only able to bowl one over, leaving teenager Ashley Davis, 3-91 with the best return. Prolific Neston batsman Jack Smith was also injured while fielding and was unable to take any further part in the game as the Parkgate side slumped to 83 all out, Luke Pavlinovitch 37, Chris Reid 3-19. This win hoists Alderley 27 points clear of the relegation zone, but drops Neston to a dangerous ninth place.

Macclesfield moved into the top half with a two wickets home win over Toft, thanks to a best of season burst by skipper Barney Cutbill with 7-47 off 18 overs to send Toft back for 171, Aaron Sayers 44 Henry Hughes 42. Macc responded with 175-8, Rick Hough 54, Tom Parfett 45, Nigel Muirhead 3-37, Rob Jones 3-55.

Significant fixtures next Saturday: Nantwich v Hyde; Oulton Park v Alderley Edge