A FINE unbeaten 129 from Alex Hughes helped Oxton to a 143 runs win over visiting Bowdon in the Premier Division of the Cheshire County League.

The knock included thirteen fours and three sixes.

Hughes was given good support by Gayan Fernando 41 and then Martyn Evans turned on the style with 6-31 as Bowdon were all out 142 chasing a 285-6 declared score.

Neston had to be content with a winning draw at home to Hyde who closed 105 runs behind with just one wicket standing.

Players to shine for Neston were Will Evans with 85 and Jack Smith and Luke Camden with 70 apiece. Paul Stimson took 4-47 for the home outfit.

In Division Two, Irby just missed out by five runs in a low scoring affair at home to Davenham.

Wallasey saw off Bootle by 111 runs in the Premier Division of the Liverpool Competition.

Graham Reid was out three short of a century and Mark Wilkie contributed 49. Then Liam Crily 5-30 and Matthew Wilcox 5-55 set to work and Bootle were restricted to 104.

New Brighton went down by 34 runs at Southport and Birkdale. Ashraf Nawab took 5-48 and the best batsmen on the day were David While 37 and Lawrence Wilson 36.

Birkenhead Park had 31 runs to spare against Northop Hall in Division One.

Mike Barnes 55, Chris Bellis 47, Ian Cooper 46 and Adrian Kinsey undefeated on 40 batted strongly.

Rob Houghton with 5-74 was the key bowler as the home side were restricted to 204 chasing a 241-7 declared total.

Parkfield Liscard lost by four wickets at home to Liverpool despite making 262-9 declared.

Mohammad Zulfiqar hit 85 and there were also sound knocks from Grant Hughes 61 and Rash Riaz 43.

There was a first defeat for Birkenhead St Mary’s in Division Two. Prestatyn left 64 runs to the good.

Arfan Khalid 59 and Muhammad Akmal Ghafoor 64 were the in form home batsmen whilst Zahid Mohammed returned 6-56.

Caldy sent St Helens Town packing. Chris Edwards 5-36 played a key role in dismissing the visitors for a meagre 77. Then Haroon Khan undefeated on 49 helped the Wirral club to a nine wickets margin.

Upton had to be content with a draw at Romiley in Division One of the Cheshire League. They totalled 224-7 declared and had the home side on 158-9 at stumps.

Wirral crashed by nine wickets at Stockport Trinity after being put out for just 91.

Old Parkonians were edged out by nine runs at Wilmslow Wayfarers in Division One of the Cheshire Alliance.

Chris Beckett with 3-55 helped restrict the home side to 190-8 declared. Greg Lindop top scored with 48 for Parks as they just fell short.

Ellesmere Port lost by seven wickets at Saughall.

In Division Two Tranmere Vics succumbed by 87 runs at home to Heaton Mersey.

There was a full programme in the Liverpool Competition on Monday although some games were hit by the wet weather.

Wallasey took the Premier Division derby against New Brighton by two wickets.

Chris Bourne included a hat-trick in his 6-51 haul for Wallasey and Matthew Wilcox contributed 41. Louis Botes 78 and David While 76 batted well for the seasiders.

Rob Houghton claimed 6-8 as Birkenhead Park thrashed Orrell Red Triangle in Division One. Parkfield Liscard held on for a draw at home to Rainhill.

In Division Two Birkenhead St Mary’s lost again and Caldy drew.

There is a full league Saturday ahead. Cheshire County League matches include Neston at Didsbury, Oxton at Marple and Irby at Stockport.

In the Liverpool Competition New Brighton journey to Fleetwood Hesketh with Wallasey at home to Ormskirk.

Other games include Birkenhead Park at Ainsdale, Parkfield Liscard v Colwyn Bay, Birkenhead St Mary’s v Skelmersdale and Caldy v Old Xaverians.

Upton entertain Oakmere in the Cheshire League with Wirral welcoming CH Ladybridge.

Cheshire Alliance fixtures show Old Parkonians v Wilmslow, Ellesmere Port v Glazebury, Port Sunlight v Knutsford and Tranmere Vics at Styal.

Saturday Scoreboard:

Liverpool & District Competition Premier Div: Southport & Birkdale 188, New Brighton 154; Wallasey 215-6dec, Bootle 104.

Div One: Parkfield Liscard 262-9dec, Liverpool 263-6; Northop Hall 204, Birkenhead Park 241-7dec.

Div Two: Birkenhead St Mary’s 154, Prestatyn 218; Caldy 81-1, St Helens Town 77.

Cheshire County League Premier Div: Neston 301-8dec, Hyde 196-9; Oxton 285-6dec, Bowdon 142.

Div Two: Irby 73, Devenham 78.

Cheshire Alliance Div One: Saughall 116-3, Ellesmere Port 115; Wilmslow Wayfarers 190-8dec, Old Parkonians 181. Div Two: Tranmere Vics 105, Heaton Mersey 192-9dec; Bowdon Vale v Port Sunlight result awaited.

Cheshire League Div.One:- Romley 158-9, Upton 224-7dec.

Div Three: Stockport Trinity 92-1, Wirral 91.

Monday: Premier Div: Wallasey 211-8, New Brighton 206. Div One: Birkenhead Park 169-8dec, Orrell Red Triangle 66; Parkfield Liscard 59-8, Rainhill 190-6dec.

Div Two: Sefton Park 113-0, Birkenhead St Mary’s 112; Caldy 205-7, Prestatyn 266-3dec.