Cricket: BOWDON EYE TOP SPOT.

Byline: MIKE TALBOT-BUTLER

NAMED the Murray Smith Cheshire County League's June Player of the Month for his record-breaking 201 at Chester Boughton Hall, Bowdon batsman Jon Bean will today be aiming to blast his club back to the top of the ECB Premier League table at the expense of Grappenhall, one of two sides already looking doomed to relegation.

Bowdon are currently four points behind behind leaders Bramhall, but have a match in hand, and will expect to collect full points at home against their lowly visitors, especially as they will be buoyed up by their 24runs Fred Graham Trophy first round win at Neston on Thursday.

Bramhall host Oulton Park, handicapped by the absence of Andrew Hall, who broke two fingers in Cheshire's Minor Counties defeat by Devon at Sidmouth in midweek.

Second-placed Macclesfield host Chester Boughton Hall, while Hyde, who are fourth, go to Nantwich without injured allrounder Ryan Driver.

Yet another injured player is Alderley Edge's Mark Currie, who chipped a finger playing for Lancashire against West Indies `A' at Aigburth a week ago. His side meet bottom team Cheadle Hulme at Grove Park.

There are some vital contests in division one, notably second-placed Oxton against mid-table Upton which begins at 12.30 pm to allow the Upton players to get home for their Summer Ball at Old Greasby Road.

New leaders Urmston host Congleton while fast-rising Widnes travel to Toft, who have failed to win their last five games after a good start to the season. Toft are strengthened by the inclusion of Cambridge University Blue pace bowler David Noble.

At the foot of the table, Birkenhead Park host a Heaton Mersey line-up missing their outstanding off-spinner John Daniels, called up by the ECB England Under-19s team currently playing India Under-19s at Wellington College.

In division two, second-placed Marple have had 20 points deducted by the League Cricket Committee for allowing young Zimbabwe fast bowler Andy Durham to bowl more than a permitted seven-over spell in a recent game against Cholmondeley.

This gives a boost to promotion challengers Winnington Park, who travel to bottom team Alvanley and Irby, who recall skipper Paul Coles when they host Mobberley.

After scoring 96 on his debut for Cheshire against Devon last Sunday, Nafees Din returns to the second division playing for Sale at Marple.

The League representative team are in action on Sunday when they take on the Liverpool Competition at New Brighton in the third round of the President's Trophy. Mark Hillaby is expected to drop out due to work commitments and be replaced by Grappenhall's Guy Emmett.

TODAY: ECB Premier League (1pm): Bowdon v Grappenhall; Bramhall v Oulton Park; Cheadle Hulme v Alderley Edge; Didsbury v Neston; Macclesfield v Chester Boughton Hall; Nantwich v Hyde. Div One (1.30pm): Alsager v Warrington; Birkenhead Park v Heaton Mersey; Brooklands v Stockport Georgians; Oxton v Upton (12.30pm); Toft v Widnes; Urmston v Congleton. Div Two (1.30pm): Alvanley v Winnington Park; Bredbury St. Mark's v Poynton; Christleton v Cheadle; Irby v Mobberley; Marple v Sale; Timperley v Cholmondeley.

TOMORROW: President's Trophy 3rd round (at New Brighton, 2pm): Liverpool Competition v Cheshire County League. Fred Graham Trophy 2nd round (1pm ): Birkenhead Park v Heaton Mersey; Brooklands v Macclesfield; Cheadle Hulme v Hyde; Urmston v Alderley Edge.