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Double is on

20/ 8/2008

Neston......................157ao
Alderley Edge............159-5

Edge won by five wickets

Alderley Edge have taken another significant step towards a league and cup double.

Edge secured a vital win at Neston on Saturday, dodging the showers that could have cut their lead at the top of the ECB Cheshire Premier League table.

Captain Mark Walker won his first toss in eight league matches and chose to field first on the Wirral, at a ground where Alderley have had a run of poor results in recent years.

With Neston at 72-5 in the 28th over, that decision looked a good one, with fine swing bowling from Edge’s overseas star Sohail Rauf earning him an important three for 45 return from 15 overs.

For Neston, only veteran captain Stan Clifford batted with the necessary determination to preserve his wicket, which eventually earned him a fine 59 not out.

With the pitch taking spin, Edge eventually turned to spinners Adam Wildig and Alan Day to try to finish off the Neston innings.

The spin option paid off with Wildig taking two for 30, and Day three for 25, as Edge took a decisive advantage at tea, the home side bowled out for a modest 157 in 58 overs.

Edge got off to a flier when they batted, posting 49 without loss in just seven overs, with former Lancashire batsman Mark Currie in tremendous form.

The biggest threat to an Edge victory looked to be the weather, with the visitors having to keep a high scoring rate to get the match finished as soon as possible.

Left-arm spinner Paul Stimson claimed four for 52 for Neston, but Edge got home for the loss of five wickets in the 29th over with Currie hitting a masterful 84 not out, and Sohail Rauf 30, to secure a vital win for Edge, who retain their 33-point lead at the top of the table.

With four games left to play, all at home, Edge’s fate is in their own hands, with only Bowdon and Nantwich in a position to deprive them of a first Cheshire Premier League title, which would complete a league and cup double after Edge’s superb win in the league Twenty20 cup tournament two weeks ago.

Edge play Hyde at Moss Lane next Saturday.