The first wet Saturday since August 25, 2012 saw just two ECB Premiership games being played with Bowdon and Chester Boughton Hall making the most of their location in the 'dry' west of the county with victories at Neston and at home to Grappenhall respectively.
Bowdon were in form with the ball in a low-scoring game at Neston after scoring only 126, Mark Phelan making 34. They had little answer to the seam bowling of Richard Wilkinson (6-37) and Ashley Davis (3-41).
But Neston fell foul of paceman Oliver Newby, on loan with Essex in mid-week, whose 5-44 return helped dismissed Neston for just 86. To this total, big hitting opener Chris Hackett contributed a bright 30.
After defeat at Hyde the previous week, Chester regained their composure against Grappenhall at Filkins Lane, winning by seven wickets.
Put in to bat, Grappenhall were bowled out for 97, Richard Green top scoring with 19 against an unchanged seam attack of Lancashire’s Jordan Clark (5-40) and Aussie Josh Hampson (5-52).
With 43, Mark Rowland, top scored in Boughton Hall’s reply of 99 for three, Sam Guest claiming 2-28.
Hyde took seven points for their cancelled match at Bramhall to retain the league lead by just three points.
This and the Marple v Alderley Edge were the only two games which failed to start.
Oxton gave a much-improved performance and took 13 draw points to Toft’s six in a full 110 overs game in the Wirral. They totalled 190 for eight, Mark Debrabender (51) becoming their first batsman to top the half-century this season, aided by 36 from Graham Cashin, happily free from a lengthy injury. Jimmy Lomas took 6-85.
In reply, Toft reached 169 for nine, Jake Hancock 70, while newcomer Glenn Querl took 6-74 off 27 impressive overs.
The Urmston v Nantwich game was evenly poised when rain stopped play shortly after tea. The Dabbers scored 171 for nine in an innings restricted to 38 overs, Anthony Shaw 49, Liam Livingstone 39, Andy Turrell 5-41. Urmson had reached 17 without loss in four overs when the rain came.
Nantwich have lost the services of former Lancashire wicket-keeper/batsman Gareth Cross, who has signed a contract with Derbyshire and was due to play for them on Sunday.
The Dabbers already have a county contracted player in Lancashire batsman Liam Livingstone and League rules do not permit them to have two simultaneously.
Cross, who remains available for Cheshire under dual registration, played in Nantwich’s first three games, scoring 70 runs. Widnes’ 22 year-old Australian all-rounder Will Ryan has left the club after also making three appearances.
Ryan scored 58 runs and took seven wickets for Widnes who are not permitted to register a replacement.