AN IMPRESSIVE crowd of over 200 turned out to see Nantwich CC's valiant efforts against ECB Premier League leaders Bowdon.

Some top-class batting gave the home support plenty to cheer about and an eventual six-wicket defeat looked a little harsh on the Dabbers, last Sunday.

Nantwich punished several dropped catches in perfect fashion as Aussie David Celap and Jeff Maynard both hit 60 in the quest for a sizeable total.

Paul Hampshire's rapid 58 steered them to one; declaring on 203 for 5 after 55 overs.

That looked a good ask of Bowdon but Nantwich were severely handicapped when losing paceman Barrington Browne through a hamstring injury after a fine spell of 2 for 10 off seven overs.

No remorse from Lancashire 2nd XI skipper Gary Yates as he hit an unbeaten 91 to see Bowdon home in supreme fashion, racking up 206 for 4 with 15 overs still to spare.

Still there were plenty of positives for Nantwich to take from a game that saw a real rarity.

A fieldsman was no-balled by square leg umpire Maurice Rylatt for sitting on a boundary seat when the bowler was delivering the ball.

Bowden stretched their lead to 28 points with a haul of 20.

Nantwich (5pts) dropped down five places to 9th although only 14 points separate them from third.

The Dabbers travel to Oxton on Saturday, Start 1pm.