Chester Boughton Hall 2nd XI entertained Urmston on Saturday aiming to extend their unbeaten run.

In delightful conditions, Urmston won the toss and decided to bowl first. Chester opened with experienced duo Bob Evans and Jonty Hedgecoe. Both men pounced on anything loose and set the early tone. Sadly Hedgecoe was the first man to go, run out for 26. Jonty later admitted the singing and dancing he’d done at the Blue concert the previous evening really helped his preparation. Adam Dunbavand joined Bobby Evans at the crease and both men started to work their way through the gears. Evans’ up to his usual mischief cutting, flicking and pulling with distain. Dunbavand supporting superbly. Once Evans reached his 50 he embarked upon a scoring spree, racing towards his century. Dunbavand was out sweeping for 25. Evans brought up a splendid 100 shortly after and the emotion was clear to see - Tears of joy rolled down Evans’ face and even the kissing of the turf was a wonderful sight.

Once Urmston’s chief destroyer Matt Downes was introduced, his off-spin began to bamboozle the Chester batsman. He dismissed Evans for a fine 104, and then worked his way through Chester’s middle and lower order returning figures of 8-58. Support from Eddie Roberts 23 and Alex Kegg 13 guided Chester to a respectable 233 all out.

After devouring another delicious tea, Chester began the defence of their total. Sam Mallows and Bob Evans opened the bowling and it wasn’t long before Mallows picked up key early wickets. Urmston’s Chris Watson was the thorn in Chester’s side as he raced his way to a classy 42 before a Dan Riley in-swinger forced an error and the top edge flew to Davey Atkins. Chester sensed victory and with Evans’ drift, Kegg’s pace, Atkins’ enthusiasm and Dan Riley’s wizardry, Chester knew they were within touching distance of a deserved win. However, Urmston’s Number 10 Luke Durkan had other ideas. He blitzed his way to 50 and with Urmston 9 down, with one over remaining, they looked like they would snatch a draw. Skipper Riley was bowling, everyone was tense, the balcony was silent in anticipation and with 4 balls remaining Riley managed to lure the batsman in to a loose shot and a diving Kegg swooped at mid-off and caught a catch sending the Chester players in to wild celebrations, with one player, Bobby Evans, doing the splitz in the process.

Riley finished with fantastic figures of 6-26 off 13.2 overs able supported by Sam Mallows 3-74.

A great team performance. Tommy Evans set the standard behind the stumps, Karl Steadman motivated the team during the fielding session and Shane Patel covered every blade of grass.

Chester celebrated long and hard in to the night by doing some intense World Cup Panini sticker swapping.

Roll on Next Saturday.