CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL produced a solid performance against Bowdon, but were left empty handed as they lost the Premier Division enounter by four wickets.

Having lost the toss and been inserted into bat, Hall made promising headway as Warren Goodwin and Steve Ogilby opened up the innings with solid contributions.

After the duo had departed the run scoring mantle was taken on by Ollie Law and Maroof Khan, who both passed 50 as Hall posted a score of 237.

In reply, Bowdon were proving stubborn opposition, but Alex Kegg enjoyed himself with the ball, bagging all six of Hall’s wickets while Ajit Ranjan was economical at the other end.

However, Lancashire youngster Jordan Clark saw Bowdon home with a fine unbeaten half century and two overs to spare.

Speaking about the game, Hall skipper Jim Gillson said: “It was a close game but we probably scored 15 to 20 runs less than was ideal.

“We wanted to get into their middle order a bit quicker than we did and put pressure on Jordan Clarke but it didn’t happen. Alex bowled well as did Ajit while the batsmen all scored some runs.”

Christleton’s failings with the bat continued as they drew their Division One outing at WIdnes.

Skipper Paul Allen had spoken of the need to perform better with the bat having struggled for runs this season, but Christleton found themselves playing for a draw as several top order players got themselves in and then out when well set.

The first aspect of the game went well for Christleton as they bowled their opponents out for 198, Iftikhar Naseer the pick of the attack with 5-76, while Iroshan De Silva (3-36) and Matt Parkinson (2-21) were able to back him up.

The reply didn’t get off the the best of starts as opener David Bates departed lbw for just five, while Guy Newell (8) and Naseer (6) came and went quickly.

Numan Amarakoon and De Silva settled the innings, but once they had gone for 24 and 14 respectively, chances of a Christleton success were looking slim.

Chris Brooks (12) and captain Allen (14) again rebuilt the reply, although they too came and went, while Nick O’Connell was out for a duck.

There was some lower order resistance for Christleton as they swtiched between saving the game and trying to win the contest, Ben Patterson (23 not out) and Jamie Creek (33 not out) guiding their side to 148-8.

The failure to win means that Christleton’s winless run stretches to four matches, while they have won just once all season, overcoming Irby by two wickets on May 8.

ALVANLEY got back on track with a home draw against Mere in the Cheshire League Division One.

Chris Jones (23) and Mark Szymura (41) posted 45 inside 12 overs, before Glenn Pickersgill (42) pushed Alvanley to 131 for 5.

Andy Bennion and Nick Geddis grabbed the momentum back with a thrilling 73 run stand, pushing the club on to 200, as Bennion fell for 39 and Geddis 31. Rob Fisher's brisk 15 allowed Bennion to declare on an impressive 228 for 9.

In reply, Mere never got close. Chris Charles (1 for 28 off nine overs), and Fisher restricting Mere to 51 for 4 and then 116 for 6.

Max Ekstein’s resistance looked like saving the game with only the threat of Fisher having any reward. He finished 6 for 38 in 18 overs but could not find a way past Ekstein’s bat and Mere closed on 165 for 8, depriving Alvanley of the win and the chance to jump back into second place.

Saughall moved into third place in the Cheshire Alliance table with a comfortable victory at home against bottom-of-the-table Offerton.

The visitors batted first and reached 50 for 1, making the most of some uncharacteristic fielding.

Mike Andrews (4 for 20) swung the game Saughall’s way with a devastating spell of bowling as Offerton slumped to 59 for 5. Knowles (35) got little support from the other end as the visitors were dismissed for 111.

Spinner Chris Andrews took 2 for 12 while Lawrence Gotts (4 for 45) wrapped up the proceedings.

Saughall got off to a stuttering start on 23 for 2. However, James Huxley (39 not out) and Chris Andrews (47 not out) ensured they reached their target after just 20 overs, to claim 25 points.

Chester County Officers extended their unbeaten streak with a 59 run win over Sandbach, making it three wins and two draws in their last five games and taking them to fifth in the Cheshire League Division Three.

Openers Mike Rowlands (10) and Tony Hattersley (18) never got going, before Mike Pownall scored 56, as Officers finished on 136 all out in the final over. R Cotton of Sandbach finishing with figures of 6 for 42.

Mike Clarke and Hattersley got Officers off to the perfect start in reply, restricting Sandbach to 7 for 2, and then 30-4.

Sandbach then went on the offensive as 30 runs came off in the next five overs until Clarke removed M Smith for 13 lbw.

The dangerous Threadgold (49) left Sandbach on 77 for 6. Johnson and Rowlands picked up two more wickets each with the latter taking the final wicket as Sandbach were bowled out for 87 in the 29th over. Mike Clarke finished with 4 for 44, Steve Johnson 3 for 27 and Mike Rowlands 3 for 9.

Barrow secured their first win of the season against Winsford who were bowled out for 127, with Mal Barrow taking four wickets, and man of the match Phil Noble taking two and three catches.

Marlon Barclay (58) top scored for Barrow alongside Noble who hit 57.