Jamie Crawley joined the camp - albeit later in the season - and much was expected of the likes of Alex Money, the returning Andy Metcalf and the emerging Tom Wyatt and Charlie Fleet. Other youngsters were to get their chance at different times too, particularly in cup games, with Matty Brayne, Reg Wyatt and Noah Vickery leading the next generation.

It was to be a season too when Alex Kegg reappeared yet again and was aided and abetted by Robin Fisher. Old heads working with the youngsters.

Hindsight is a great thing but there were three or four games where Chester just missed out or had the opposition nine down. Those points would have been vital.

There's match reports for every game here but in the meantime, here's a synopsis month by month.

April

As you were with a win first off at Didsbury and Harry Killoran and Andy Metcalf seeing the side over the line as Chester chase down 218 after a couple of wobbles. Alex Kegg (more comebacks than...just about anyone) led the bowling. Warren Goodwin celebrates becoming a dad!

Down to earth with a bump and a losing draw at home to newly promoted Oulton Park. Alex Money shows the benefit of a season in Australia with 55.

May

One that got away as Chester have Alderley Edge nine down but can't force the win. Tom Wyatt turns things round with an unbeaten 52, Will Owen takes 5-36.

It's a ton for Rick Moore against Cheadle but Chester lose a close one by 8 runs despite four wickets for Jack Williams.

Highly fancied Nantwich then win at Chester in a topsy turvy game that sees Will Owen make 53. No wins in four.

And another defeat at home to early pace setters Timperley, Jamie Crawley makes his debut as he and Alex Money add 89 for the third wicket, Crawley making 57 and Andy Metcalf a flying 37. Another close call as Jack Williams gets four wickets again.

June

A win at last as Chester continue their hold in the league over Neston. Big runs for Harry Killoran (87*) and Alex Money (75). Charlie Fleet arrives after illness and takes three wickets.

On a roll with a 100 run win at Grappenhall. A day for spinners: Harry Killoran and Jack Williams take three each. Rick Moore hits 51.

A home draw with Toft. Chester hit 257 and Toft survive on 182-9. Jordan Clark lines up for Chester and has the better of it against fellow Lancastrian Rob Jones. 84 for Rick Moore and another three wickets for Jack Williams.

The turning point of the season sees defeat at Marple despite hundreds for Jamie Crawley and Rick Moore who put on 222. Marple were 80-4 but get over the line.Ben Spaven makes his league debut with Dan Riley also in the a side that used seven bowlers.

First half of the season is completed with a win that ultimately sees Chester go through unbeaten to the end of the campaign. Charlie Fleet fires in with four wickets and Robin Fisher, two. Chester cruise to a nine wicket win over Bramhall. Another classy 96* from Rick Moore and 51* from Alex Money.

July

A romp against Didsbury means Chester finish in time to watch England play in the World Cup. Jack Williams takes 4-20 and Warren Goodwin 2-29. Goodwin with 52 too means a six wicket win.

One of the games of the season follows as Chester chase down 328 to win at Oulton Park. It's in the balance though as Jamie Crawley hits another hundred, Warren Goodwin makes 64, Rick Moore 46 and Lee Dixon returns to smash 60 as the game goes to the wire.

The juggernaut continues as Chester brush past Alderley Edge at Filkins Lane with a nine wicket win. Rick Moore takes 4-17 and Jack Williams 3-28. 72 from an on-fire Rick Moore.

August

A month on the road starts with a six wicket win at Cheadle who slip from 111-0 to 197 all out. Alex Kegg and Will Owen bowl 22 overs in an hour to put the pressure on, Kegg going for just 18 from 11 overs. Jack Williams takes 3-58. Warren Goodwin hits 57 and Rick Moore 71 as Chester are in the rush with the bat too - 94 coming from 11 overs. 39* for Harry Killoran and 18* for Tom Wyatt then steadies the ship as the wicket turns dramatically.

Another highlight of the season and it's six out of six with a win at Nantwich. 156 with Jack Williams taking 6-26 looks a stroll but it's far from it. A cracking game sees the Dabbers' spinners fight back. Williams adds 29 but there's tension a plenty as number 11 Charlie Fleet survives 29 balls before Harry Killoran hits the winning runs. A big win this and suddenly Chester are in the mix at the top with Timperley and Nantwich.

Defiance again at Timperley. The winning run ends but Chester grab a credible draw. This time Charle Fleet and Tom Wyatt put up the rearguard action against hostile bowling in poor weather. Chester survive with nine down after Timperley make 173 with Jack Williams taking 4-45. Chester are third, 35 points behind leaders Nantwich, 31 behind Timperley.

Next up another win at Parkgate, but it's close as Neston implode. 205 from Chester includes 61 from Alex Money and 55 from Lee Dixon. It seems all over with Neston 101-0 but Harry Killoran takes 3-39 to celebrate his 21st birthday and Rick Moore's top season continues with 5-34. Now it's 14 behind Nantwich and six behind Timperley.

A big 160 run win over Grappenhall moves Chester up to second. A good recovery from 74-4 includes a 166 fifth wicket stand between Harry Killoran (his maiden league ton - 104*) and Alex Money 67. Alex Kegg takes 3-12, Jack Williams 3-24 and Charlie Fleet 2-9.

September

Things are hotting up. The unbeaten run continues with a fine win on a flat one at Toft. Chester chase down 285 to win by seven wickets as Rick Moore gets an unbeaten 128 and Jamie Crawley hits 74. Three wickets each for the Harry Killoran/Jack Williams duo.

And then it rains. Marple at home is washed out. So are all the other Premier league games so it comes down to the final weekend with Chester 14 points behind Nantwich...

The final Saturday

All Chester could do was beat what was in front of them. They've often struggled at Bramhall but this was straightforward as the clouds gathered. 116 is overtaken as Jack Williams makes it 53 wickets for the season with 4-40. Alex Kegg takes 3-16 from 13 overs.

News comes through that Nantwich are in trouble at Oulton Park. Lose and Chester win the league. Nantwich are nine down, there's a dropped catch but somehow the last two add 27 to take the title to Whitehouse Lane.

Chester would almost certainly have settled for second place at the start of the season but it did feel like a case of so near, yet so far. An enjoyable season nevertheless.

The cups

Perhaps the absence of late season cup action helped the side.

The National saw Chester beat Rainford with Alex Money making 67 and Rick Moore 56. Jack Williams took 3-23. But then it was defeat to bogey side Northern in a game that saw chances for youngsters Noah Vickery, Reg Wyatt and Matty Brayne. Brayne particulalry distinguished himself with 2-27. Northern recovered from 147-7 chasing 186 after Matt Griffiths had made 68 and Will Owen 50.

The T20 saw Chester exit at the group stage. There was a nine run win at Oxton where Rick Moore made 84 and then a 19 run win at Upton where Andy Metcalf hit 70 and Moore 53 in a total of 180-4. Warren Goodwin took 3-17.

Jordan Clark couldn't help Chester overcome Neston at home in the final group game. A sluggish performance saw Chester fall 18 runs short of 155-8. All this after Neston were 55-5. Rick Moore top scored for Chester with 38 with Jack Williams taking 2-9.

The Liverpool Echo Trophy T20 saw a nine wicket win at Oxton before Port Sunlight humbled their visitors. The hosts racked up 185-5. Another 3-24 for Jack Williams but Chester were off the pace. Rick Moore top scored with 25. Chester were 56 short. A poor night.

Chester are keen on the Cheshire Cup having won it four times in recent years. They eventually lost out in the semi-final to Oulton Park in a game that looked straightforward. First off there was a washout at home to Timperley. Chester were 43-2 chasing 206-9 when the rain came. Matty Brayne took 2-15 and Rick Moore 3-38. Jack Williams conceded just 11 runs from 9 overs.

The replay saw Chester win by 75 runs after piling up 286-9 (Jamie Crawley 96, Alex Money 57). Harry Killoran took 4-42.

A delayed quarter-final against Nantwich next with several players on Cheshire duty. Chester manage just 121 after Tom Wyatt (23) and Andy Metcalf (20) help them recover from 34-5. Alex Kegg then manages 4-13 and Charlie Fleet 2-11 in an 11 run win.

But it goes pear-shaped in the semi at home to Oulton Park. Depleted sides again but a poor performance. Chester fall 37 runs short chasing 211. Jack Williams takes 5-26 and Robin Fisher 3-26 but the batting doesn't fire. Harry Killoran (53) and Jack Williams (35) turn things round with a 105 run partnership but to no avail.