CRICKET: Bowdon will finish as runners-up in the ECB Premier League, to new champions Alderley Edge.

The two top teams were supposed to go head-to-head in a crucial game last weekend but waterlogging prevented any play.

Beaten only twice in 21 games Alderley go into the final round of fixtures next Saturday leading by 36 points and cannot be caught by Bowdon.

While Alderley Edge lie second, to Bowdon, in the composite table of points recorded since 1975, the club’s only previous senior championship honours were in that first season, then to share the title with Bowdon in 1983 and win the first division in 2000, after premiership cricket had been introduced.

In the second division, struggling Hale Barns stand between promoted leaders Irby and the title.

Irby need two points from the game to become champions in their 60th anniversary season.

Hale Barns will be fighting for survival in that match as it is now between them and Bredbury as to who will accompany Winnington into the Meller Braggins Cheshire League in 2009.

Most of Saturday’s matches in the Cheshire County Cricket League were cancelled due to the wet weather, with only three games played.

Heaton Mersey lost to Macclesfield by 57 runs, in the premier division.

In the second division Mobberley drew with Grappenhall and Winnington Park lost to Bredbury St Mark’s by seven wickets.

Brooklands have claimed the Meller Braggins First Division title and promotion back into the County League after a two-year absence.

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