With a few of the regulars unavailable Peta Balac’s 3rd team took on Oxton with only 10 men. Peta won his first toss of the season and put Oxton in to bat on a dry wicket which was perfect for batting. Cameron “Slim Shady” Clark opened the bowling with Fishy but neither of them could get a break-through and after 100-0 Peta was left scratching head (especially after a straight forward catch was put down from Fishy in the gully). Clarke was replaced by Banu who was getting the ball in cut in viciously to the rat hander but CBH were having no luck, eventually Peta came on for Fishy and got the much need breakthrough. Wickets then began to come more freely, Killoran with a run-out followed by another run-out from Fishy and a single Wicket from Banu. Newly recruited Dinesh came on for Banu and finished with a great haul of 3 wickets. Oxton set CBH a large target of 255 off 50 overs.

Fishy had to leave early so was thrown in the deep end to open for his first bat of the season with the ever impressive Joe Killoran. The opening pair were looking untroubled and got to 50-0 after 14 overs before Fishy smashed one straight to the fielder at long-on (26). Cmaeron Clarke came to the crease and batted very maturely until he was eventually out for 31. Joe Killoran stayed there looking a class act and suddenly the target seemed reachable, Killoran finally fell for an outstanding 131. The runs were coming but the overs were drifting by and with one ball to go the scores were tied, Steve Henshaw on strike and the quick athletic Balac at the none strikers end. The ball hit Henshaw’s pad and dropped straight down to his feet, Peta was already half-way up the wicket and the keeper was standing back, CBH scrambled through for a single to clinch an outstanding victory for the 3s.

A maximum 25points to put Chester even further clear at the top with Neston losing.

Next Saturday sees Chester 3XI travel to Upton on the Wirral.

3XI - Cheadle Hulme (H)

Chealde 3s 132 a/o. D.Henson 3-16, L.Filer 2-22.

CBH 133-3 Mani 55 n.o, J.Killoran 36.

CBH go top after nestons loss

Reports longer than a text message hopefully coming soon!

3XI - Timperley (A)

CBH 3rds 165-7 (D. Henson 58 n/o, P. Balac 43)

Timperly 150 a/o (E. Filer 3Wkt, L. Filer 4Wkt, X. Filer 2 Wkt) The Filer bowling show, with the other wicket being a runout! Xan Filer, 11 years old on debut, opened the bowling 5o 2w 9r. 25pts for CBH.

3XI - Brooklands (H)

On a warm muggy day at the Hall which promised wet intervals (prompting everyone to include a Macintosh in there kit bag) Chester faced bottom of the table Brooklands looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat at Neston last week.

Peta Balac lost the toss and was put in to bat on a damp spongy wicket. The familiar opening partnership of Luke Filer and Mike Treen got the hall off to a steady start before Treen was bowled trying to take the attack to the opposition (35). Treen was replaced by Olly “James Corden” Snowden who set about playing his free flowing game of 4 after 4 on the leg side (there may have been an off-side shot in there somewhere), Snowden played too early at one though and was out for a quick 29 (24 of them in boundaries). John Scott chipped in with a quick-fire 22 but ever impressive Eddie Filer racked up 50 not out in just under 9 overs, bullying one poor unsuspected 15 year old for 24 in one over! Luke Filer showed maturity again and finished on a well fought 57*. Chester finished on 205-3 dec of 41 overs.

After a few samosas and cups of Tea it was time for Chester to take to the field. Balac opted to open with Fisher from the Milne end and Knight from the Bell end. Balac went all out attack with Treen and Snowden in close under the helmets! Knight could not get a break through despite the opposition not troubling the scoreboard. It seemed like a long afternoon in the field was looming but Eddie “vu vu” Filer had different ideas, bowling what can only be described by mystery ball after Doosra after China man he got the break through and this inspired a calamitous display of running by the opposition, two overs later Fisher with a left handed pick-up, a delicate pirouette and throw into the keepers hand saw the second wicket fall, followed by yet another run out by Fisher and another by Johnny Scott. Fisher was unable to get a break through so this prompted the exciting return of Steven Treen who has been side-lined due to the booming printer cartridge market in the last 2 months. Treens first ball was to pop up and hit the young 15 year old junior in the chest, he was dismissed shortly after. Treen with a good return of 2-40 off 9. Ed filer continued at the other end and the game should have been over if it wasn’t for Olly Snowden dropping two catches at silly mid-off, the slow coach said his reactions aren’t what they used to be. Filer plugged away and finished with an impressive 5-31. Brooklands finished on 146 all out.

After a disappointing week last week the atmosphere in the dressing room can only be described as Amikozian.Maximum 25 points for Chester to put the pressure back on Neston. Chester travel to Warrington next week.

3XI - Oxton (A)

Chester Boughton Hall 3rd XI made the trip to Oxton on Saturday full of hope and Treen brothers.

Oxton mustered 190-8 off their 50 overs, including a solid 56 from Richard Fennah and 45 from Mike McGreary. Tekkers bowling figures were returned by Dave Fisher (3-34), Ryan Spencer (3-33) and Luke Filer (2-30)

Chester set about the Oxton bowling attack with Mike Treen and Luke Filer. The pair returned a partnership of over 150 and both showed what they are capable promising youngsters. Treen fell first for 111 including 94 in boundries! Luke carried his bat until the end of the game for 52*, and Chester won by 8 wickets.

Peta Balacs barmy army continues to go from strength to strength