Will Owen is confident Chester Boughton Hall will click into top gear ahead of Saturday’s trip to Alderley Edge in the Cheshire Premier League.

Hall began the campaign with a comprehensive victory at Didsbury but struggled last week, eventually having to settle for a draw against Oulton Park, the visitors dominating affairs before rain intervened with Hall 152 for five in pursuit of an unlikely 243 for victory.

There have been signs of promise from Hall however, with Alex Money (55) impressing with the bat last week and both Rick Moore and Jack Williams weighing in with key wickets.

“Oulton Park put up a decent fight last week and we were struggling a little to chase down their score,” said Hall captain Owen.

“It was tough for us. Danny Leech dug in and Muhammad Bashir batted well for his hundred.

“We weren’t 100 per cent with our bowling and our run chase always looked a challenge. Alex Money though is showing good signs of being a strong asset at number three and we’re another game in so we’re moving in the right direction with one or two things to sort out.”

Alderley Edge are the only team yet to play in the top tier so far this season due to bad weather, making it hard for Owen to gauge how good their opponents will be.

“Alderley Edge were one of the key title challengers last year and we expect the same again this season,” he added.

“Ed Fluck is a very talented batsman and Callum Rowe scored plenty of runs for Cheshire last year. They’ve also got have plenty of firepower bowling-wise so we know this will be a tough challenge.

“The poor weather has meant they’ve been unable to play a league game this season so it’s difficult to gauge too much but we know we’ll have our work cut out and we’ll need to be at our best.”

“We’ve a couple of injury niggles around team selection so will make a couple of late decisions about our line up at the end of the week.”

Neston have began the campaign in flying form, with two maximum point victories taking them top of the table ahead of their trip to Nantwich.

Bramhall host Marple, Toft go to Didsbury, Timperley visit Cheadle and Oulton Park entertain Grappenhall.

In Division One, Upton bid to keep up their unbeaten start when they host Stockport.

Tom Marsland’s team claimed the narrowest of three-run wins over Bollington last week, with winter signing and former Boughton Hall skipper Ross Dixon proving his worth to the team with a vital knock of 37 before taking 5-44 with the ball.

Barrow are finding life tough in the second tier and are currently propping up the standings ahead of their home clash with Sale.

Other Division One fixtures: Hyde v Davenham; Macclesfield v Widnes; Oxton v Bowdon; Urmston v Bollington.

In Division Two, Alvanley mean business as they look to cast aside their failed promotion bid from 2017.

Chris Charles’ side narrowly missed out on a top two spot last season but have made a 100 per cent start to the new season after James Ecclestone’s 36 not out and 4-31 from England international Sophie Ecclestone helped the Chester outfit defeat Northwich by six wickets last weekend.

Up next is a home clash with Romiley this Saturday, while improving Christleton look to make it back-to-back wins when they entertain Warrington.

Tattenhall meanwhile make the trip to Lindow.

Other Division Two fixtures: Hale Barns v Brooklands; Mobberley v Weaverham; Northwich v Runcorn.

In Cheshire Alliance League Division C West, Saughall host Bromborough while in Division Four, Westminster Park travel to Bowdon Vale. Park are also in action on Sunday, away at Winsford.