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Title race tightens up

23/ 7/2008

Alderley Edge 175-7, Chester BH 169-5 (Match drawn) - ALDERLEY Edge’s lead at the top of the Premier League was cut to 16 points after a draw against Chester Boughton Hall.

With Bowdon and third-placed Hyde both victorious, Edge’s draw means that the race for the title, with eight matches remaining, is well and truly on.

Another crucial toss was lost by Edge last Saturday at Chester Boughton Hall, which, in a rain reduced 84 over game, put a severe dent in Alderley's chance of victory in a match that they needed to win to maintain their lead at the top of the league.

Having to bat first on another wet strip that was drying in the late afternoon sun gave Edge much the worse of the playing conditions, although they did get off to a flying start from openers Mark Currie and Alan Day.

When Day was out for 21, Currie went on to play a masterful innings of 74, helped by a well-crafted 42 from Cheshire all-rounder Jason Whittaker, Edge totalling 175 for 7 declared.

Veteran Alex Kegg took 3 for 41 for the home side but Edge could consider their score to only be about par, and with only 42 overs to bowl the opposition out, their chances of victory looked remote.

After captain Mark Walker removed both Chester openers early on, and with the scoring rate low, Edge looked to be well on top.

However, a near century stand from Jim Gillson and Steve Ogilvy for the third wicket had Edge under pressure, with a final run chase in the last five overs giving the home side a chance of victory, not helped by a succession of dropped catches by the visitors.

Accurate bowling by Lancashire’s leg spinner Simon Marshall meant that in the end Chester fell six runs short, with Edge earning 11 points to Chester’s eight.

LANCASHIRE will play a one-day friendly fixture against Bangladesh A at Alderley Edge cricket club next Wednesday (30th). The match is scheduled to start at 10.45am and will follow the same rules of play as this year’s NatWest international one-day matches. Admission is free. For more details log on to the club’s website at: www.aecc.org.uk