30th June 1999 - RE-ARRANGED TRIP TO BRAMHALL
Sundays postponed Cheshire Cup tie will now be played on Sunday 11th July.

30th June 1999 - ECHO KNOCKOUT QUARTER FINAL DRAW
The winners of Fridays Echo knockout tie between Northern and Neston will be at home to New Brighton in the quarter finals. The other quarter final ties are Bootle v Wavertree, St Helens v Newton le Willows and Wallasey v Sefton Park.

27th June 1999 - CHESHIRE KO MATCH RAINED OFF
Todays match in the Cheshire Cup 4th round at Bramhall has been postponed because of the weather.

27th June 1999 - 1st XI BACK ON TRACK
After a run of disappointing results Neston's 1st XI got back to winning ways yesterday when they beat Brooklands in a thrilling high scoring run chase .

Having been put in to bat Brooklands made full use of the good track and some crucial dropped catches to amass a daunting 258 for 6 declared in 62 overs. Neston needed a good start if they were to get anywhere near their target and Phil Davis (35) and Paul Evans (65) duly obliged. Stan Clifford (69) kept the momentum going and Neston looked firm favourites until a minor middle order collapse with 60 still required set nerves jangling. Paul Coles, Jerry Scriven and Steve Egerton all chipped in with useful runs edging the total closer to the 259 required until the last over arrived with seven runs still needed for victory. It was wicket keeper Brian Beaver who emerged as the hero striking two consecutive fours to give Neston a thoroughly deserved 3 wicket win.

The 2nd XI could only draw at home with Grappenhall , the visitors finishing on 181 for 8 after Neston had earlier declared at 191 for 7. Jim Marshall (46) and Martin Noakes (62 not out) were Neston's main contributors with the bat and Ken Peers added to his mounting total of wickets with another four.

The 3rd XI appear to be unstoppable at the moment, this week comfortably seeing off visitors Urmston. John Brown took 3 wickets in the Urmston's innings of 182 for 6 before Mike Potter (49) and Alan Reeve (38) led Neston to victory by 5 wickets with eight overs to spare.

Not such good news for the 4th XI who were involved in another high scoring game at Brooklands. Facing a massive target of 249, Neston got off to a terrible start when they reduced to 8 for 3. Max Bass (75) and captain Andy Joslin (65) pulled the situation around in a valiant charge for victory but it was not to be and it was Neston who were eventually hanging on at the end for the draw finishing on 233 for 9.

27th June 1999 - BOWDON CONCEDE UNDER 21 CUP TIE
Bowdon have conceded the Cheshire Under 21's cup tie scheduled for today because they cannot raise a team because of other commitments within the club. This means that Neston are now through to the quarter final stage and have yet to play a game !.

24th June 1999 - BARBER AND COLLYER IN FOR CHESHIRE CUP TIE
Stan is forced to make one change for the trip to Brooklands on Saturday with Peter Barber stepping up for the unavailable Matty Ennion. Barker keeps his place for the Cheshire Cup tie at Bramhall on Sunday and Ben Collyer home from University replaces the ineligible Paul Evans.

24th June 1999 - EURO WIRRAL VICTORY
A nine man Neston side overcame Caldy to reach the semi final of the competition last night. Caldy scored 138 in their 20 overs but 75 from Andy Woolley ably supported by Paul Evans and Peter Barber saw Neston home with two balls to spare. In the semi final we now meet Birkenhead Park.

20th June 1999 - CHESHIRE CUP, EURO WIRRAL & ECHO KO
The Cheshire Cup 4th round tie away at Bramhall is scheduled for this Sunday, 27th June as is the Under 21 Cheshire Cup tie at home to Bowdon. This Wednesday the Euro Wirral 2nd round tie against Caldy takes place at Wallasey and on Friday 2nd July we visit our old friends Northern in the next round of the Echo knockout.

20th June 1999 - WANTED - WHEELS !!
The 1st XI's worrying slide down the table continued after a disappointing defeat at Alsager on Saturday. Things looked fine at lunch after Steve Egerton with 3 wickets had left the home side struggling at 111 for 7. Unfortunately Neston failed to capitalise after the break and Alsager eventually managed to reach a respectable 190. The Neston reply was less than convincing and wickets fell on a regular basis before a determined eighth wicket partnership between Egerton and Beaver gave a slight glimmer of hope. Ultimately the task proved too much and Neston were left to reflect upon an ignominious 50 run defeat.

There was good new elsewhere within the club with the 2nd XI beating Birkenhead Park by 8 wickets at Parkgate. Captain Dickie Thorn claimed 5 wickets in the visitors total of 174 for 8 declared before Peter Barber led the way to a comfortable victory with a magnificent 93.

The 3rd XI stay well clear at the top of their table after winning at Timperley. Doug Chadwick picked up 5 wickets and was ably supported again by Mark Strong with three as Timperley were dismissed for 122. Alan Reeve (64) and Graham Jones (29) made light of the target as Neston raced to an eight wicket victory.

The 4th XI were also successful in their home match against Birkenhead Park, winning by 38 runs. Ben Thomas returned to form with 52 and received good support from Jim Hughes (51), Greg Brooker (39) and Tudor Williams (30) in Neston's 228 for 5 declared. The bowlers were also on form with Jim Hughes and Andy Joslin taking 3 wickets each as Park were dismissed for 190.

This coming Saturday the 1st XI look to get back to winning ways when they visit Brooklands. The 4th XI make the same trip to face the same opposition. The 2nd's play host to Grappenhall and the 3rd's are at home to Urmston.

20th June 1999 - UNDER 13 SUCCESS
In their first year entering the competition Neston's Under 13 side have finished as Cheshire County Western Zone Champions and they did it with a 100% record. They now progress into the final play-off league of six teams with ambitions of becoming overall Cheshire County League Champions.

14th June 1999 - CHESHIRE CUP SUCCESS
The busy weekend continued yesterday with the re-arranged Cheshire Cup 3rd round tie at home to Nantwich. The visitors posted a challenging total of 189 in their 40 overs before the inevitable rain delay. Fortunately the skies cleared leaving enough time for Phil Davis (49) and Mathew Ennion (62) to guide Neston to victory by 5 wickets with one over to spare.

13th June 1999 - THE RAIN'S A PAIN
For the third week running the English weather did Nestons first team no favours when they visited bottom club Toft yesterday. Batting first Neston were well placed at 119 for 1 when the rain came and forced a three hour delay. On the resumption Neston batted only another 9 balls before declaring at 131 (Phil Davis 50 n.o., Mathew Ennion 45 n.o.) leaving Toft 31 overs to achieve victory. The positive attitude of both sides ensured an exciting finish to a very damp day but it was Toft who earned the points reaching their target in the last over with 4 wickets in hand. Credit must be given to both sides for the effort put in to a major drying up operation to get any sort of cricket played after the rain.

The second XI got back to winning ways at home to Toft, Jamie Hackett was the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets as the visitors were dismissed for 132. Nigel Davies (35) and Jerry Scriven (55) ensured a comfortable 7 wicket win.

The 3rd XI beat Irby by 5 wickets to consolidate their position at the top of the table. Mike Potter and Alan Reeves both scoring fifties in reply to Irby's 142 for 8.

The 4th XI suffered a set back against Caldy when they were dismissed for 111 (Andy Joslin 36). Despite a brave effort the lack of runs proved to be decisive as Caldy eventually reached their target with 6 wickets down.

12th June 1999 - STAN OUT
Stan Clifford has pulled out of todays game at Toft through illness. The ever dependable Peter Barber steps up at the last minute.

12th June 1999 - VICTORY AT LAST
Well it finally happened last night ... a victory in the echo knock. With only 10 men, no scorer, no umpire, no ball, and no scorebook the makeshift side beat Sutton St Helens by 5 wkts in a close and exciting match. SSH scored 128 in their 20 overs but 45 from Dodge and 36 from Edgy saw us home with 3 balls to spare.

10th June 1999 - FRIDAY NIGHT ECHO
It's been a number of years since Neston even won a Liverpool Echo knockout game let alone progressed very far in the competition. In fact courtesy of an early round bye still being in the competition in June is viewed as a success story. Tomorrow night Phil Davis takes over the skippers role from the unavailable Stan for the unenviable trip to Merseyside Competition side Sutton St Helens. Dad to be Dodge keeps hold of the wicket keeping gloves after an impresive performance last Sunday as a makeshift side looks to record a rare Echo victory.

9th June 1999 - WILF AND J.F. RETURN
The 1st XI look to return to winning ways this weekend with the visit to bottom club Toft. Dave Jones and John Fennah return after holidays with Pete Barber returning to the 2nd XI and Simon Marshall resuming his schools cricket after the half term break.

6th June 1999 - K.O. FOR 1ST XI
The 1st XI's miserable weekend continued today with defeat in the Cheshire County League knock out at the hands of the holders Oxton. Neston batted first and struggled to 133 for 9 in their 45 overs with only the in form skipper Stan Clifford (45) and Pete Barber (26) making any sort of score. In reply Oxton made life difficult for themselves but eventually ran out comfortable winners by 4 wickets with 3 overs in hand.

6th June 1999 - NESTON ROBBED BY RAIN
Yesterday's Premier league clash at Parkgate ended in bitter disappointment for Neston as they eventually crashed to a last over defeat against Cheadle Hulme.

In glorious sunshine the visitors knocked up 219 for 9 declared from 62 overs with Stan Clifford and Paul Coles each picking up three wickets. The weather was not so kind when Neston batted but despite the early loss of Paul Evans and a reduction of 14 overs because of rain interruptions the home side still looked favourites until four wickets fell with the score on 171. The loss of skipper and newly wed Clifford for a magnificent 71 signalled the end of the victory charge but the final cruel blow came in the last over when Dave Collyer was given out LBW to hand Cheadle Hulme an undeserved victory.

In the 2nd XI game at Cheadle Hulme, Jerry Scriven and Jim Marshall were both undefeated on 48 and 75 respectively in Nestons 192 for 3 declared off 46 overs. Unfortunately for the second week running they were up against opposition with little interest in achieving anything other than a draw and despite all attempts to encourage a positive reply and three wickets from Greg Shillinglaw the home side finished on 178 for 7.

Also at Cheadle Hulme the 3rd XI bandwagon rolled on with another comfortable victory that keeps them well clear at the top of the table. Steve Carpenter with 64 and Paul King with 61 took Neston to 225for 6 declared before Mark Strong with five wickets Doug Chadwick with three destroyed the opposition who were all out for 68.

Cheadle Hulme were unable to raise a fourth side giving Andy Joslins team victory by default.

Archived news from April and May 1999