CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL re-affirmed their Premier League title credentials in a convincing  five-wicket victory at Grappenhall.

Will Owen (4-49) was instrumental in securing the win as he and Jack Williams (3-23) helped to dismiss the hosts for 119.

Opener Warren Godwin hit 25 to get the visitors’ response started, before he was dismissed by Sam Guest (3-39).

The wickets of Alex Money and Lee Dixon fell cheaply before a combined mid-order stand of 43 from Harry Killoran and Williams secured victory.

The win keeps Hall within touching distance of leaders Alderley Edge, who edged to a narrow two-wicket success at seventh-placed Didsbury.

Michael Taylor and Liam Booth hit 68 and 86 respectively to steer Didsbury to 232 all out.

The visitors’ chase began slowly but gained momentum in the mid-order with Ed Fluck’s 50 and Thomas Foreman’s 36 runs.

Charlie Reid and Hamish Winter-Irving survived the innings and helped Alderley to 233-8 to preserve their lead at the top of the table.

Sam Hatcher top-scored for in-form Toft as his 72 run contribution helped secure victory by 26 runs against visiting Hyde.

Chasing a score of 234 all out, Hyde began strongly with knocks of 52 from opener David Fitzsimmons and 50 from skipper James Duffy.

But Toft bowlers James Lomas (5-39) and Rob Jones (5-59) combined to end the Hyde comeback which ended on 208.

Basement side Bowdon’s woes continued in a five-wicket defeat at Nantwich. Opener Jack Tipton top-scored for the visitors with 34 as their 55 overs yielded a score of 157 all out.

The hosts comfortably made their target as 48 from Niall O’Brien and 46 not out by Luke Robinson helped them to 160 for five.

Neston remain in mid-table after their game at Cheadle ended in a tie with both sides hitting 227.

Bramhall claimed a slender nine-run victory in their low-scoring game at Timperley.

The bowling of Nathan Brown (4-31) and Rudolf Brenner (3-26) limited Bramhall to 110 all out.

But Timperley fell short of their meagre target thanks to an inspired bowling display by Christopher Sanders (7-26).

Division Two leaders Barrow lost by seven wickets at third-placed Lindow.

Batting first, the visitors’ allocated 50 overs yielded 142 for eight with opening duo Iroshan De Silva and Alex Reid hitting 29 runs apiece.

Lindow made light work of their chase as Ryan O’Brien blasted six fours in his knock of 71 not out to guide the hosts to 147 for three and a commanding victory.

Alvanley’s Michael Rowlands blasted 50 from just 64 balls in a five-wicket triumph at Mobberley.

With the hosts batting first, visiting bowlers Billy Ouzonidis (4-31) and Lee Aisworth (3-36) combined to limit them to 130 all out.

Opener Rowlands then led by example as he smashed four sixes and three fours on his way to a fine half century.

Andy Bennion’s 34 not out added to their 134 for five score and consolidated  fourth place in the league standings for Alvanley.

A disappointing score of 110 all out cost Christleton dear, as visiting Brooklands strolled to a six-wicket win.

The bowling figures of Rob Leach (4-27) and Mark Law (3-23) limited Christleton’s scoring opportunities with Atif Bajwa and Josh Morgnan Jones sharing a top score of 20 runs apiece.

The Brooklands chase was a straightforward affair with 47 runs for Jack Bagshaw an innings high as they made 111 for four from just 18 overs.

Basement side Bredbury won by 87 runs against visiting Tattenhall, Cheadle Hulme fell to a seven-wicket loss at Stockport, while Northwich and Romiley played out a draw.