MID-CHESHIRE clubs struggled in the seventh round of games in the Cheshire County Cricket League, writes Mike Talbot-Butler.

In the Premiership, Toft lost with two balls remaining at Oxton, who replied with 226-8 (Henry Dobson 72, Jimmy Lomas 4-50) to Toft’s 224-8, Roddy O’Shea a fine 57.

Leaders by one point, Neston won their sixth game by seven wickets at home to Widnes, while Grappenhall lost at Hyde, for whom Lancashire part-timer George Balderson scored 73 not out and took 5-19.

There were also wins for Cheadle, Chester, Nantwich and co-leaders Didsbury.

In the first division, Oulton Park lost by 38 runs at home to Stockport Georgians, who rattled up 214-8, Martin East claiming 3-51 and Johnny Little 3-53. Park were all out for 176, Nick Ball 3-8.

Alvanley lost a high-scoring game against Lindow with seven balls left. Simon Gee top-scored with 92 not out in Alvanley’s 240-6, Lindow replying with 241-8, James Rowlands 3-39.

Bowdon stay top after winning comfortably at Congleton, Jack Tipton contributing a classy 66 not out.

Other winners were Macclesfield, Romiley and Timperley.

In Division Two, table-toppers Marple beat second-placed Haslington, while Mobberley slipped up at Cheadle Hulme.

Davenham had a good day, winning by two wickets with three balls left, at Hale Barns, with Jason van der Muelen hitting 54 and Mo Abid taking 4-21.

Among a series of draws, the only other winners were North-East Cheshire, by five wickets at home to Stockport, Jadon Camp 112 not out.

Heaton Mersey currently enjoy a 24 points lead after winning a high-scoring match at Barrow.

Division Three saw Kingsley win by six wickets at home to bottom of the charts Northwich, Ben Stoddart 6-33. Kingsley replied with 66-4, N Ganapthi 42 not out.

Oakmere beat Upton by 11 runs to keep up their rise, while there were also victories for Tattenhall, Ashley and Heaton Mersey.

Results:

ECB Premier League: Cheadle 242 (Yaksender 100) beat Brooklands 185; Chester Boughton Hall 154 lost to Didsbury 322 (Andrews 103); Hyde 132-4 (Balderson 73no) beat Grappenhall 130 (Balderson 5-19); Nantwich 104-4 beat Alderley Edge 100 (Spencer 4-8); Neston 107-3 beat Widnes 103 (Jones 5-22); Oxton 226-8 (Dobson 72, Filer 71, Lomas 5-50) beat Toft 224-8 (O’Shea 58, Stenhouse 4-67). Top three (all played 7): 1 Neston 156 pts.; 2 Didsbury 155; 3. Hyde 135.

Division One: Alvanley 240-6 (Gee 92no, Charles 68) lost to Lindow 241-8 (Duffy 70, Rowlands 3-39); Congleton 135 (Chappel 4-32, Tully 4-38) lost to Bowdon 136-1 (Tipton 66no); Macclesfield 193-6 (Sawas 60) beat Sale 191 (Ashling 98, Thompson 6-58); Oulton Park 176 (Normanton 4-50) lost to Stockport Georgians 214-8; Romiley 267-6 (Badrock 89) beat Urmston 156 (Hoolam 5-44); Timperley 230 (Bowler 51, Wilkinson 4-47) beat Bramhall 148 (Dixon 79, Fowler 4-46). Top three (all played 7): 1 Bowdon 157; 2 Sale 132; 3 Timperley 112.

Division Two: Ashton on Mersey 267-9 (Hooton 121, Phipps 5-79) drew with Bollington 250-9; Cheadle Hulme 144-7 beat Mobberley 143 (Mountney 60, Balderson 4-53); Christleton 211-9 (Brown 51) drew with Port Sunlight 151-8; Hale Barns 189-7 (Abid 4-21) lost to Davenham 191-8; Marple 213-7 beat Haslington 172; NE Cheshire 213-7 (Camp 112no) beat Stockport 202 (Ahmed 92). Top three (all played 7): 1 Marple 127; 2 Haslington 120; 3 Mobberley 117.

Division Three: Barrow 202 lost to Heaton Mersey 204-5; Hawk Green 328-5 (Hampson 102, Kearon Gleeson 94) beat Winnington Park 124; Kingsley 66-4 (N Ganapathi 41no) beat Northwich 72 (Stoddart 6-33); Oakmere 152 beat Upton 131; Warrington 124 lost to Tattenhall 126-3. Top 3 (all played 7): 1 Heaton Mersey 146; 2 Hawk Green 122; 3 Ashley 118.

Saturday’s fixtures, all noon start:

ECB Premier League: Brooklands v Alderley Edge; Cheadle v Chester BH; Didsbury v Hyde; Grappenhall v Neston; Toft v Nantwich; Widnes v Oxton.

Division One: Bramhall v Macclesfield; Lindow v Oulton Park; Romiley v Timperley; Sale v Alvanley; Stockport Georgians v Congleton; Urmston v Bowdon.

Division Two: Ashton on Mersey v Hale Barns; Bollington v Haslington; Davenham v NE Cheshire; Mobberley v Christleton; Port Sunlight v Marple; Stockport v Cheadle Hulme.

Division Three: Ashley v Hawk Green; Barrow v Maritime; Heaton Mersey v Northwich; Tattenhall v Kingsley; Upton v Warrington; Winnington Park v Oakmere.