SAUGHALL booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Cheshire Alliance Knockout Cup on Sunday with a resounding win at Hartford.

With Saturday’s league match at Haslington called off due to a wet outfield, the Chester side put all their focus on Sunday’s cup clash.

Tasker (27) and Turner (37) gave Hartford a good platform before debutant Arul Biradar (2-10) broke the partnership.

Dipak Jena (2-36) was thankful for a stunning catch at mid-wicket by Mandeep Singh as wickets began to tumble, with spinner Chris Andrews (3-24) the chief tormentor.

But Hartford’s tail wagged, with the hosts ending on 140-8 from their allotted 40 overs. Saughall raced out of the blocks in their reply before pinch-hitter James Huxley (20) played on with the score on 65. Ben Salisbury, a star performer with the bat so far this season, plundered five sixes in a magnificent 86no as Saughall reached 143-1 in the 25th over.

FRODSHAM were beaten at Stalybridge St Pauls in the Cheshire Alliance on Saturday. The hosts made 184 and then bowled Frodsham out for 141.

The heavy rain which fell earlier in the month left a lot of standing water on the outfield at the Frodsham’s Moore Lane ground. Saturday’s second XI fixture had to be cancelled but this week’s warm, dry weather will help matters.