A real toughie to start the month and the run-in. Nantwich were on a roll with Nial O'Brien free scoring and Messrs Warrington, Freckingham and Griffiths taking wickets for fun.

This was a strange encounter with 'big guns' (including O'Brien and Warren Goodwin) absent on both sides. Chester won a vital toss and Nantwich were struggling at 96-6. But this was maybe the one that got away. One-legged Ray Doyle and Ryan Brown rallied to post 225, Williams taking 5-55. 103-2 looked good in response but once Lee Dixon had gone for 37 and Money for 34, Chester relied on a stubborn 41 from Will Owen to secure a draw. An Alderley Edge win elsewhere cut Chester's lead at the top to just eight points with Nantwich coming up in the wings.

Disaster then followed at Timperley, hosting their first game for a year on a newly laid pitch. A vital toss was lost this time but Chester mis-fired, making just 90, Jack Williams scoring 23. Chester were briefly in the hunt with Goodwin taking 3-21 but bad pitch or not, more was expected. Incredibly though, bottom-placed Bowdon came good to beat Alderley Edge to keep Chester top of the pile.

So the scene was set as Chester travelled to Alderley Edge, second v first. More problems though as Chester suffered their only abandonment of the season with heavy rain putting paid to any play. Worse still, Nantwich managed a truncated game and beat Toft in the twilight to become the main challengers, 12 points behind the leaders.

Four to go and a test of nerve. Chester hosted Bowdon and no banana skins this time in a convincing eight wicket rout. Bowdon made 89, Owen taking 6-45 and Alex Kegg 3-18. Owen's second half of the season burst had seen him take 22 wickets so far. Money top scored for Chester with 29.

End of August table - three to go:

1 Chester Boughton Hall 349
2 Nantwich 337
3 Alderley Edge 316
4 Toft 300
5 Timperley 283

Win, win, win and Chester would win. Simple as that. Three September games to go and Nantwich seemingly on fire. Nerves settled as Cheadle were duly dispatched at Filkins Lane, but not without a wobble or two.

Zuhayr Muazzam (60) and Greg Dixon (54) made the going tough for Chester after being 80-5 at one stage and finishing on 203. Five more for Williams (5-56) and 3-52 for Owen.

Batting seemed a breeze with Goodwin (68) at his best and Lee Dixon making 37. Chester were 180-4 when the game was turned on its head with Ollie Law watching a hat-trick from left arm spinner Will Holmes at the other end. Just 25 needed but the pressure was on. Law held firm to end unbeaten on 53 with a typical and crucial Ross Dixon 'nurdle' at the other end. In the end a three wicket win.

Next the one that on paper, looked toughest in the run-in. Toft away. Skippers Toby Drummond and Ross Dixon worked hard to ensure the game got underway with rain all around. And Ross Dixon winning the toss was important. An 80 overs game ensued, Toft hitting 154-9. Another three wickets for Owen.

Nerves needed to be controlled. Rick Moore made 39, Goodwin 28 and the ever-maturing Alex Money, 35. Lee Dixon seemed nervous as he and Law edged towards the finish with Chester getting home by six wickets. And then the news broke. Heavy rain at Grappenhall. Nantwich had to settle for the draw. Chester were champions!

And so to the final game with Chester crowned champions before hosting Hyde, relegated halfway through the afternoon when news of guaranteed points for Cheadle came through.

The old mates locked horns, Chester batting first and Lee Dixon securing leading run scorer in the Premier league with a fine 63. A 50 for Killoran and 39 not out for unsung hero, Nick James. A total of 266 felt more than adequate.

Not so as the Chester bowlers found the going tough. Perhaps Hyde relaxed once they knew their fate. Certainly Chester wanted the win.

George Balderstone was unbeaten on 102 and Tom Partridge made 61 but in the end Hyde ended 10 short on 256-4. A decent game before the party could begin.

Champions Chester. In his one foray into captaincy before stepping down to manage all things job and family, Ross Dixon did the Club proud. And all this with a cup final to come.

We'll look at the performances of the season elsewhere.