Skipper Pemberton won the toss and had no hesitation in batting. Pemberton opted for firepower at the top of the order and sent in chief mischief maker, rum lad himself, Bobby Evans and Eddie Roberts. A combination of quick singles and lusty blows racapulted Chester to 59 off 7 overs. Evans was out caught for a well compiled 30. Guy Dunbavand joined Roberts at the crease and the mixture of youth and experience blended together beautifully, as Chester approached the 100 mark. Roberts was eventually stumped for 51 and Dunbavand caught for 24. Ed Filer and Adam Dunbavand guided Chester to a respectable 166 off their 20 overs.

Warrington’s reply started cautiously against the youthful duo of Harry Killoran and Guy Dunbavand. Tight bowling led to wickets falling at regular intervals. Sam Mallows and Ed Filer then applied further pressure and after a sun break, Warrington’s task was even harder. Pemberton had a further trick up his sleeve when he introduced Adam Dunbavand in to the attack. Adam, a reverse swing bowler, settled in to a fantastic line and length early on and worked well in tandem with Michael Treen’s doosras and Robert Evans’ drift. Warrington eventually finished on 100-8.

Chester successfully booked their place in finals day at Timperley on Sunday 19th August. Contact Tommy or Bobby to book your place on the coach!

2XI - Alderley Edge (H)

Chester hosted Alderley Edge on Saturday afternoon at Filkins Lane, with sunny weather that finally resembled a late July day.

Skipper Pemberton lost the toss and Chester were asked to bat on a hard, green topped wicket. Chester opened up with Bob Evans and Youngster Guy Dunbavand, who quickly settled in and started moving the scoreboard along. Evans and Dunbavand brought up their 50 partnership in the 12th over and moved the score along to 61 before Evans was caught at slip for 34. Guy was joined in the middle by his older brother Adam, and took the Chester score along to 107. Guy was then superbly caught at cover by a flying catch, removing him for 48, two short of a maiden 2XI 50 which was really deserved after a splendid innings. Although the catch was well taken, the Alderley Edge fielder had to leave the field of play to receive medical treatment on split webbing, ironically being treated by Guy’s father Andy, who sent the fielder off to hospital. Under-batted skipper Pemberton sent himself in at number 4 and showed he should be batting himself up the order more often, by putting on a marvellous 91 with Adam Dunbavand, before being bowled for a good 49. Some lusty blows at the end of the innings from Dunbavand and new batsman Glenn Coppack took the Chester score to a season best of 252-4 dec. off their 50 overs. Coppack was caught off the final ball of the innings to finish on 37, with Adam Dunbavand finishing on a well compiled 73 not out. Chester can be happy with a good batting effort, especially after 2 disappointing innings in the two previous weeks.

After tea, Chester opened the bowling with the ever reliable Sam Mallows and young Ryan Spencer-Wolfe. Mallows bowled with accuracy from the off, with Spencer-Wolfe taking a couple of overs to settle in, before finding his line and length and taking the opening wicket with the score on 36. Spencer-Wolfe was replaced by the evergreen Dan Riley, after 6 overs finishing with figures of 1-21. Mallows and Riley settled into their line and length and wickets fell at regular intervals to leave Alderley Edge on 107-5, before part time off spinner Evans was brought into the attack. This proved to be an inspired bowling change from Skipper Pemberton, with Evans taking his only wicket in his first over, finishing with figures of 1-18 off 5 overs. The game went into the final 7 overs with Chester needing 3 wickets for victory. Mallows and Riley each took another wicket each to leave Chester requiring the final wicket for victory with only one over left. It turned out that Riley only needed one ball of the final over to clinch a thrilling victory, with Karl Stedman taking a low catch at short mid-wicket. Riley finished with figures of 3-65 off a marathon 18.1 over spell, and Mallows finished with 5-49 off 20 overs, his 2nd 5 wicket haul of the season.

Special mentions must go to The Colonels singing/feather hats, Arthur Roberts support from the side-lines and Bryan Spencer-Wolfe’s jinxing exploits.

Chester currently lie in 4th position in the table ahead of a trip to Nantwich next Saturday.

2XI - Didsbury (A)

The second teams dismal form with the bat continued for a second game at Didsbury, resulting in a 5 wicket loss.

Skipper Pemberton lost the toss and Chester were put in on a damp, green wicket, which promised help for the bowlers. Guy Dunbavand and Bob Evans opened up for Chester and got off to a solid start, getting to 35-0 off 5 overs before Evans picked out deep midwicket, being caught for 31. This sparked a collapse, where Chester lost their 10 wickets for 56 runs to leave them 91 all out. Only Evans and Sam Mallows (10) were able to get into double figures in an innings where a mixture of tight bowling and poor shot selection proved to be Chesters downfall.

Chester took to the field after tea full of hope, enthusiasm and cocktail sausages and made a good start with Dan Riley taking a return catch to remove S. Qasim with the score on 3. A good start turned into a brilliant start when Mallows ripped through Sheikh and Bagshaw to leave Didsbury on 18-3. The young opener A. Qasim and Didsbury captain Whiteside batted patiently and moved the score onto 35, before Qasim was trapped LBW by the impressive Mallows. With the score on 35-4, Chester felt the game could be swinging their way, but a classy 47* from wicketkeeper Burns took the game away from Chester who could only muster one more wicket courtesy of Riley. Mallows finished with figures of 3-36 and Riley 2-44.

Next up for the 2XI is a T20 on Friday night at home against Warrington, followed by another home game the next day against Alderley Edge.

2XI - Toft (H)

Chester Boughton Hall 2nd XI’s unbeaten run was ended on Saturday with a 20 run defeat against a strong Toft outfit.

Skipper Pemberton won the toss and elected to bowl on a wicket suited to his 4 strong pace attack. Chris Connolly and Sam Mallows opened up and bowled with purpose and precision. Mallows was first to break the deadlock and after the introduction of Toby Hughes, Chester began to apply the pressure on Toft’s batting line up. Some spirited resistance from Toft’s middle order lifted them over the 100 mark and on to a final score of 137 all out – Toby Hughes bowled superbly and finished with 4 wickets, Dan Riley and Sam Mallows with 3 a piece. A notable mention must go to the fine fielding routine, practiced and rehearsed at length, by Karl Stedman and Adam Dunbavand during the Toft innings.

After tea, Chester attempted to chase down the par total. A welcome return to league action was Guy Dunbavand, who opened up and looked promising in his innings. After the early loss of Eddie Roberts, Guy was joined by his brother Adam who attempted to steady the ship. Chester were handily placed at 58-2 off 28 overs when Toft introduced experienced duo Nigel Muirhead and Paul Ashley who both bowled with great accuracy and troubled virtually all the CBH batsmen. After Glenn Coppack was LBW and Sam Mallows bowled, Chester’s last ray of hope came in the form of Chris Connolly and Toby Hughes. Faced with a near impossible task at 80-9, Connolly and Hughes counter attacked and steered Chester past the 100 mark. Hughes delicate sweeps combined with Connolly’s lusty blows were beginning to cause a stir around the ground and at 117-9, Chester still had a glimmer of hope until the Toft Captain, Ashley pulled off a splendid catch off his own bowling to dismiss Connolly to win Toft the game.

Chester aim to bounce back at Didsbury next weekend and welcome the return of Bob Evans after his trip to a rave in Milton Keynes.

2XI - Hyde (H)

The 2XI travelled to top of the table Hyde full of confidence after a good start to the season.

The Wernerth Low ground was looking slightly damp when Chester arrived but after some hard work from the Hyde team and groundsman, the green pitch was certainly fit to play. Unfortunately, as the warm up started with a game of football against a particulary excitable German Sheppard, the rain came and wiped out all of Hyde's good work to get the ground playable.

After a couple of hours sitting around, the invention of two brilliant new games (one which is a fusion of football and tennis, with Phil Thomas being the only fully qualified referee, and the other involving launching a tennis ball at Adam Dunbavands head), and what can only be described as an unbelievable tea, the rain finally stopped and Hyde started their drying process with military precision.

The game would finally be getting underway with a 35 over game, with Chester bowling first on a wet, grassy pitch. This was a particular delight to Karl Stedman, who was always confident of the game starting and eager to get out and start fielding.

Chester opened the bowling with Sam Mallows and Mark Slater, Who each bowled 4 overs of pace before the heavens opened again and the match was abandoned, with Hyde on 32-0.

Both Hyde and Chester took 7 points from the game, and both kept their unbeaten status' with the halfway point of the season looming. A stirling effort from both sides.

Next week, Chester host Widnes on friday night in the T20 cup, followed by bottom club Macclesfield on the saturday in the league.

Special mentions go to the Hyde caterers, Dan Riley for bringing team sweets, and the whole of the 2XI for their Positive Mental Attitudes (PMAs).

2XI - Bramhall (A)

Chester Boughton Hall 2nd XI travelled to Bramhall with the intent to keep up their unbeaten record in 2012.

Captain Pembridge won the toss and asked Bramhall to bat first on what proved to be a difficult pitch to bat on. Chester opened the bowling with the reliable Sam Mallows and Toby Hughes, who has been rumoured to have given up teaching to persue a career in hairdressing due to a recent car purchase. Hughes took the first wicket in the 10th over, caught at first slip by a sharp catch by Karl Steadman, to removed the technically gifted opener. Hughes got rid of the other opener 2 overs later with a brilliant caught and bowled, before getting his third wicket of the innings the very next ball, bowling the young number 4 with one that nipped back through the gate. Harry Killoran was brought into the attack to replace Mallows, who was unlucky to finish without a wicket, and struggled to find his length early on. However, drinks brought a change in Harry's fortunes, and he started bowling with the flight and control he has become renown for, to rip through the Bramhall batting line up to finish with impressive figures of 6-59 off 15 overs, with Hughes finishing with 3-41 and Riley picking up the other wicket to finish with 1-48. It was a good effort to keep Bramhall to 171 all out off 49.3 overs, especially as the final ten overs were bowled with a wet ball after some light drizzle.

After enougth tuna sandwiches and pesto pasta to feed a small army, Chester opened the batting with recently retired 1XI batsman Eddie Roberts and all-rounder Bob Evans. Evans and Roberts knuckeled down to record their 2nd 50 partnership in as many innings and set a good foundation for the Chester innings. When the vocal Bramhall removed Roberts, there were 22 overs and 72 runs on the board, and Chester looked well set to go on and record victory. However, due to some tight Bramhall bowling and good fielding, Chester lost wickets at regular intervals and with one over left, Chester needed 9 to win, with Bramhall needing 2 wickets. Mallows managed to scamper a quick 2 before being bowled off the fourth ball of the over. Number 11 Toby Hughes then managed to block out the last 2 balls to leave Chester on 166-9 off 50, collecting 8 points in the process. The main contributions with the bat for Chester were Roberts (33), Evans (31) and Pembroke (24).

Next Saturday, the seconds host a strong Neston 2XI. Special mentions go to Olly Thompsons missing Quavers, brilliant time keeping/navigational skills and colourful braclets, along with Amy Hughes' determination to mark students work in all weather conditions.

2XI - Cheadle (A)

Chester Boughton Hall 2nd XI made the trip to Cheadle on Saturday full of hope and sun cream. The beautiful summer sun was a welcome contrast from the wet conditions endured so far this season.

Skipper Pemberton won the toss and had no hesitation in batting on a firm but used track. ‘Recently retired 1st XI batsman’ Eddie Roberts and Bob Evans opened the batting and it was Evans who was intent on causing as much mischief as possible as he set about the Cheadle bowlers with gusto. The 50 stand was brought up in good time before Chester were pegged back by an excellent spell of bowling from Dooler. Evans was first to depart for a well-crafted 32. Roberts was joined by Ollie Thompson. Roberts was eventually stumped for 45 but it was Thompson who stepped up the tempo and cut and pulled with venom, and his 50 was fine reward for his application. Some fine Cheadle bowling at the death restricted Chester to 190-6 with useful contributions from Stedman and Pemberton at the end.

After feasting on what can only be described as the Pieste Der Résistance of cricket teas, Chester were fired up for the 2nd innings. Sam Mallows and Mark Slater got Chester off to an excellent start. Mallows picked up Cheadle’s opener with a fine delivery. Cheadle showed glimpses of fight early on but after a calamitous run-out and the introduction of little maestro Harry Killoran and Dan Riley, Cheadle were all at sea. Wickets and another run-out tumbled as Chester turned the screw. Skipper Pemberton seized the initiative and after one last rallying cry from mid-off Chester took the final wicket to bowl Cheadle out for 83 and take 25 points from the day. Killoran finished with 4-22, Riley 3-12 and Mallows 1-25.

Notable mentions go to Olly Thompson’s navigational skills, cold refreshing budwesier and a packet of team wine gums which Bob Evans had 89% of.

A splendid all round performance and Chester can now look forward to a trip to Bramhall next week.

2XI - Nantwich (H)

Chester 2XI hosted Nantwich in a game reduced to 80 overs due to the poor weather conditions the night before. The game was able to be played after a morning full of rolling and mopping by skipper Pemberton and groundsman Loic Gresty.

Pemberton won the toss and had no hesitation in putting Nantwich in on a pitch that looked more dangerous than it actually was. Chester opened the bowling with Sam Mallows and Toby Hughes, making his first appearance after returning from playing Macbeth. The Nantwich openers both recorded half centuries, helped by the Chester fielders having hands coated in teflon, dropping no fewer than 5 catches throughout the Nantwich innings. The breakthrough was finally made by Dan Riley, bowling Darren Cook through the gate for 55. Riley took the only other wicket in the Nantwich innings, removing other opener Dave Ferris for 59, with Eddie Roberts showing the rest of the team how to catch, with a fine effort in the deep. Roberts' was rewarded for his fine catch with a solitary Werthers Original from the crowd. Nantwich number 3 Tim Cowap added a rapid 51 to leave Nantwich with a respectable 181-2 off their 40 overs. Riley finished with figures of 2-87, whilst Toby Hughes bowled tightly on his return, going for only 8 runs off 9 overs.

Chester opened the batting with the young Adam Dunbavand, and the recently retired 1XI batsman Eddie Roberts. They made a steady start and 41 was on the board before Dunbavand was trapped LBW on 12. Coppack then came to the crease and continued where Dunbavand left off, compiling a solid 27 before bowled with the score on 105. This left Chester needing 80 off 9 overs and despite the best efforts of Bob Evans, Karl Stedman and Dan Riley, Chester finished on 144-5, Roberts top scoring with a solid 66.

Special mentions go to Loic Gresty's mopping, Amy Hughes' marking in extreme weather conditions and Mr & Mrs F Evans for providing Eddie Roberts and Bob Evans sweets on the boundary throughout the Nantwich innings.

Next Saturday, the seconds travel to Cheadle, hoping to keep up their 5 match unbeaten record, and looking forward to a high quality tea after recommendations made by Alderley Edge's Marc Chan.

2XI - Alderley Edge (A)

Chester Boughton Hall 2nd XI travelled to Alderley Edge full of optimism after their win the previous week against Didsbury.

Skipper Andy Pemberton won the toss on a wicket prime for bowling first on. Sam Mallows and young Ste Treen opened the bowling. Mallows bowled with pace and accuracy while Treen relied on rhythm. Treen was first to break the deadlock with a superb diving catch off his own bowling. Treen was replaced in the bowling attack by Harry Killoran. Killoran fresh from his midweek hat trick, begun to spin a web of lethal destruction. The Alderley batsmen struggled to cope with Killoran's fizzing off spinners and once Dan Riley was introduced in to the attack, the pair whittled their way through the batting line up to bowl out AE for 98. Killoran returning with impressive figures of 6-14 off 15 overs, Sam Mallows 2-32 off 16 with young Ste Treen and Dan Riley picking up 1 wicket each.

After a nicely seasoned Alderley Edge tea, Chester attempted to chase down the low total. The pitch was still sporting for the bowlers and Alderley Edge's openers applied the pressure straight away. Mike Treen was trapped LBW first ball, followed by a loose Eddie Roberts gung-ho drive for 8, Chester were reeling at 20-2. Bob Evans and Adam Dunbavand attempted to steer Chester through the turbulent opening overs until Bob Evans guided one to the wicket keeper. Dunbavand was next to go, this brought Karl Stedman and Harry Killoran to the crease. The pair took the score to 50 before Steadman was well caught. Skipper Pemberton went first ball leaving Chester at 55-6. Commeth the hour, commeth the man, enter Phil Thomas, full of purpose and a pocket full of sweets, Thomas and Killoran held firm and bravely led Chester through a period of sustained pressure from the Alderley Edge bowlers and patiently batted Chester past Alderley Edge's total of 98 to secure 25 points and another splendid victory.

Special mentions go to Harry Killoran's excellent all round performance, an appearance from George Robinson and Sam Mallows' expert wheel changing technique on the M56.

Next Saturday, the seconds host Nantwich at Filkins Lane, full of confidence after two good performances.

2XI - Didsbury (H)

Chester Boughton Hall 2nd XI hosted Didsbury in what was their first home game of the season, due to the first game being washed out. Chester won by 153 runs after dominating Didsbury with both bat and ball.

Didsbury won the toss and stuck Chester in, on what proved to be a difficult pitch to read. Mike Treen and recently retired 1st XI batsman Eddie Roberts went about building a solid opening partnership with a good mix of youth and experiance that quickly brought up the 50 partnership within 10 overs. The dominating opening partnership continued, bringing up Roberts' 50 and their maiden 100 partnership, before Mike Treen was caught off the bowling of ex-Boughton Hall spinner Nigel Bellamy. Adam Dunbavand was next in but failed to trouble part time scorer Sam Mallows, being trapped LBW by Bellamy. This brought Bob Evans to the wicket who shared a 50 partnership with Roberts, who also made his 100 in the process. It was a fine innings by Eddie Roberts, who will be hoping to score bucket loads of runs in the 2XI this year. Roberts departed for 110 and Evans followed soon after for 32, before late cameos from Karl Stedman (9) and Harry Killoran (13 not out) saw Chester to a competitive 215-5 declared after 50 overs.

Chester got the best possible start after tea with Sam Mallows getting the first wicket in only the third over of the innings. Mallows and Mark Slater kept things tight in the opening overs, until Slater (0-29) was replaced by Killoran with the score 52-2. This fine tactical move was rewarded by a Didsbury batting collapse, losing their last eight wickets for just 10 runs, including losing 5 in two overs for no runs. Killoran (4-3) and Mallows (5-27) shared the wickets between them, with the other wicket coming from a run out.

Next Saturday, the seconds travel to recently promoted Alderley Edge, hoping to build on two good opening performances.

2XI - Toft (A)

Chester Boughton Hall 2nd XI travelled to Toft to kick off their 2012 campaign. The picturequse Toft ground withstood the torrential overnight rain superbly & grounds man Bernard did a splendid job in getting the pitch & outfield fit for play.

Captain Pemberton won the toss and asked Toft to bat first. Opening bowlers Sam Mallows & young Steven Treen bowled with pace & precision. Mallows broke the deadlock after a fine opening stand. Skipper Pembroke decided time was right to introduce Bob Evans, fresh from a morning session of Pilates & Harry Killoran in to the attack. Killoran was starting to extract some genuine turn from the wicket, while Evans focussed on hitting the seam and soon ripped through the heart of Toft's batting order. After being in a promising position of 110-2, Toft subsided to 164 AO. Killoran finishing with 4-30, Evans 4-66 & Mallows 1-35.

After sampling Toft's fine fare at Tea, Chester began to tackle Toft's total. Mike Treen was first to depart, followed by Glen Coppack & Bob Evans, both LBW. Recently retired 1st XI batsman Ed Roberts & Adam Dunbavand steadied the ship before Dunbavand fell victim to another shooter. Killoran & Pembroke came & went & Chester slipped to 58-6. Phil Thomas joined Ed Roberts at the crease & offered wit, wisdom & a selection of sweets to restore order to the run chase. The duo took the score to 124 before Roberts departed for 67. Olly Snowden & Thomas then guided Chester to a draw & 6 points in the process. Notable mentions go to Ste Treens' throwing arm, Bobby Evans' spikes & Andy Pembroke two fine catches.

Next Saturday, the seconds host Didsbury at Filkins Lane on Saturday, hoping to secure the first win of the season.