Warren Goodwin and Darren Cruickshank starred for the Filkins Lane club in their first home match of the season against Toft.

Boughton Hall were asked to bat after losing the toss and Goodwin (70) was helped to an unbeaten 99-run opening partnership with Matthew Griffiths (31).

From 99-0, Chester then struggled and a succession of poor shot selection and nagging bowling from the spinners saw the home side slump to 120-5 with last week's batting hero Cruikshank out first ball and big guns Tom Ducker and Eddie Roberts also going cheaply.

Jim Gillson and skipper Steve Ogilby then set about repairing the damage with a well worked stand of 52 before Gillson holed out at long on for 33. Chester then lost Neal Pearson and Jack Williams in quick succession but a fine ninth wicket stand of 33 with Ollie Law (14 no) saw Ogilby reach his 50 just before the 55 over cut-off point at 212-8.

Facing a reasonable early season score, Toft got off to a solid start before Cruickshank got the breakthrough at 49-1.

Alex Kegg chipped in with a customary wicket but the visitors were giving it a decent shot at 103-3.

The turning point came when Cruickshank had the dangerous Andy Bones caught by Kegg at 109-4 and then wickets begun to fall in rapid succession.

A brief flurry from Paul Ashley (21) came too late though and following a wicket apiece for Pearson and Law, Cruikshank roared in with a fine display of aggressive bowling to finish with 7-55.

Chester took 24 points from the game and now visit the highly rated Alderley Edge in their next match.

Ogilby said: "We're top of the league which is excellent after losing just three points from our opening two matches."

Only three clubs retain 100 per cent records in the ECB Premier League.

Alderley Edge collected 25 points from a five wickets win at Widnes after dismissing the home side for 112 in 57 overs, Rudra Singh 31, Jason Whittaker 4-19. They replied with 116-5, Alan Day 36, Jon Usher 33 not out, Dan Pascoe 3-47.

Bowdon won by 28 runs on the ground of last season's First Division champions Macclesfield after being restricted to a tally of 154 (Jon Gray 67, Carl Hay 31, Barney Cutbill 3-31, Ian Tait 3-44). The Macc batting then failed with ex-Nantwich and Congleton man Rob Porter top-scoring with 26 as his colleagues buckled against Bowdon's penetrative pace duo. Rupert Kitzinger, 4-39 and Adam Syddall, 3-25. Macclesfield were bowled out for 126 in 57 overs.

It hasn't taken reigning champions Oulton Park long to get back into the groove, their seven wickets victory over Urmston at Little Budworth being achieved with 20 overs to spare.

Urmston declared on 128-9 off 55 overs after left-arm spinner Chris Jones had claimed a hat-trick in his 3-22 return. Skipper Nathan Dumelow top-scored with 33 in Oulton's reply, while new signing Louis Bentley, aged 17, from village neighbours Davenham not out 32.

Nantwich bounced back from their opening day defeat at Bowdon to beat promoted Heaton Mersey by seven wickets at Whitehouse Lane.

'Mersey could muster only 81, number nine batsman Danny Cranmer top-scoring with 21, while Glen Batticiotto took 4-23 and Chris Hampshire 4-31. The Dabbers knocked off the runs in 29 overs, Chris Simpson 26.

Another form reversal was enjoyed by Neston who comprehensively outplayed Hyde to win by 88 runs at Parkgate. Skipper Stan Clifford top-scored with 57 not out in Neston's 169-7 before Hyde were bowled over for 81, Aussie Josh Farmer 34, Chris Finegan 4-21, new boy Lee Dixon from Upton 3-31.

CHRISTLETON celebrated an eight wickets win in their Division One match against Bollington.

Skipper Paul Allen was sidelined with a back injury, but he saw Rick Moore and Iroshan de Silva hit 60 runs each.

Bollington were all out for 149 off 46 overs thanks to Iroshan de Silva taking six wickets for 47 runs and a run out.

de Silva has now taken his wicket tally to nine in just two games, and he was supported by Matt Parkinson who took three wickets, and Surresh de Silva who took one.

Christleton have taken 29 points from their opening two fixtures and face a tough test against Bramhall this weekend.