CRICKET: Saturday’s clash of leading clubs Alderley Edge and Bowdon in the penultimate week of the season could decide the destination of the ECB Premiership title.

Both teams won on Saturday, leaving Alderley ahead by 36 points - and needing 15 more - with two games to play.

Bowdon beat bottom club Heaton Mersey by two wickets.

Their visitors had posted 145, of which Aussie Brenton McDonald contributed an unbeaten 90 and Adam Syddall claimed 3-44.

A crucial innings of 72 not out by Lancashire’s Gareth Cross saw Bowdon home with 149-8.

Player of the Month for June, McDonald, of Mersey, completed another fine individual performance with a 4-61 return.

In division one of the Cheshire County League, Timperley lost by 77 runs against Cheadle, who rose off the bottom spot on bonus batting points after the victory.

Hosts Cheadle scored 212-7, with D Brown clocking up 75 not out and Greg Dixon 66.

Mark Maddocks took 4-64.

Timperley were bowled out for 136, Chris Reid scoring 60, and R Malook taking 4-30.

In division two, Sale lost by five wickets against Grappenhall, who virtually clinched the runners-up spot with their fine run chase.

Richard Green cracked an unbeaten 149, the new Cheshire police recruit’s second successive century.

Sale posted a daunting 240-6, Ian Dickson 68, John Taylor 62, but Grappenhall passed this total with 11 balls remaining to pocket 25 vital points.

Mike Talbot-Butler

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