WARRINGTON were desperate for points against high flying Bowdon as they battle for a premier league place next year hots up.

Bowdon were equally keen to the win in the race for the title and a draw was never likely.

Batting first, Warrington struggled as only Hughes, 44, produced an innings of substance and the side were dismissed before the half way stage for 144.

Bowdon's reply began confidently but Tony Wright responded by claiming the wickets of Bryson, Gray and Crozier, Cheshire players all, in a tremendous spell.

Teenager David de Prez's slow left arm accuracy then lured Bramhall and Teasdale to their deaths.

A magnificent slip catch by skipper Smith and a successful lbw shout brought the last pair together for six runs needed from the last over of the game.

De Prez's nerve held and four were still required from the final delivery. Birley missed and the alert Batey whipped off the bails to secure 23 points for Warrington.

Bowdon's seconds are in the hunt for promotion and Warrington faced a side on Saturday which contained two well established first teamers, including Cheshire opening bowler Nigel Peel.

This glittering array proved altogether too much for an overawed Warrington team, who did not even make their hosts break sweat.

Only Baxter performed from the batting order and the bowlers, left with a hopeless task, found little joy as the hosts bludgeoned their way to victory in only 16 overs.

On Sunday, the thirds won the Jack Gardner Trophy for the fifth time in six years.

Neston choose to bowl first and Warrington built a steady start through Houghton and Baxter.

A mid-order collapse threatened to take the game Neston's way but an undefeated quickfire 33 from Jon Davison turned things round and a total of 163 was reached.

A wayward start from Caven jnr saw Neston race away to 35 from only six overs but the introduction of man of the match Davison changed matters, giving away only 12 runs in nine overs

Skipper Stuart Caven and Lewis Nunn swept away the rest of the batting on the way to an 82 run triumph.

The thirds also lie second in the league table with one game remaining. 16 points are required from next Saturday's home encounter with Upton to bring the title to Walton Lea.

Warrington v Bowdon

Warrington

P. Catterall ct Teasdale b Sherry 0

B. Smith ct Birley 17

M. Suen ct Ware b Ball 19

J. Hughes ct Bryson b Ball 44

R. Taylor ct Ware b Sherry 11

K. Ollier b Ball 21

D de Prez ct Birley b Ball 7

I. Sleigh ct Gray b Spencer 14

P. Agar b Spencer 0

S. Batey b Spencer 1

T. Wright not out 0

Extras 10

Total 144

Bowdon: 141. Bowling: D de Prez 27-6-5-71, T. Wright 22-5-3-59, P. Agar 4-2-2-4.

Warrington 2nd v Bowdon

Warrington

D. Baxter ct Byrne b Peel 19

I. Wright ct Savin 9

M. Agar ct Claridge b Savin 14

G. Dyson lbw Savin 9

A. Kirby ct Murrills b Savin 11

D. Lindop lbw Savin 2

S. Amos lbw Savin 0

H. Morris run out 14

H. de Prez ct Savin b Peel 0

P. Hitchen not out 1

Extras 9

Total 86

Bowdon: 87-2. Bowling: J. Coneeny 4-0-0-20, P. Hitchen 4-0-0-25, H de Prez 3-1-1-18, M. Agar 1-0-1-2, H. Morris 4-0-0-22.

Warrington 3rd v Neston

Warrington

C. Houghton b Brown 22

D. Baxter b Glynn 44

N. Stanhope run out 17

M. Lindop ct Strong 5

J. Coneeny lbw Strong 6

J. Davison not out 33

S. Caven ct Strong 11

L. Nunn run out 2

M. Caven not out 6

Extras 17

Total 163-7

Neston: 81. Bowling: M. Caven 7-2-0-29, P. Bayley 9-5-1-10, J. Davison 9-3-1-12, S. Caven 7-2-3-16, L. Nunn 5.1-4-2-3.

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