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Match Reports for 2008 Season
Match Reports for Week Ending 20/07/2008
ECB Cheshire Premier League
Alderley Edge 175-7
Chester 169-5
Drawn
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 ECB Cheshire Premier 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 rewarded for batting first with 11 points to Chester’s 8.
Edge’s lead at the top of the premier league table was cut to just 16 points by Bowdon who won at Widnes, with third placed Hyde also victorious. With eight games to go, the race for the title is well and truly on.
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