ALVANEY’S fine start to the season is showing no sign of coming to an end.

They eased to a six-wicket victory at home to Ashton-on-Mersey in Division One on Saturday.

Losing the toss and bowling first on a good wicket, the table-topping home side remained patient before Rob Fisher (5-50) took the first two Ashton wickets.

Scoring was slow for Ashton, who took risks after being contained to 85-2 from 30 overs.

Spinners Dave Shewring (4-60) and Fisher capitalised to prompt a collapse to 128-8, before Ashton reached 147-9 from their 45 overs.

In reply, Alvanley made a bright start with openers Mark Szymura (48) and Andy Bennion (20) putting on a pacy 37 before Bennion was dismissed.

Next to in was Chris Jones, who immediately became involved in the drama. Dropped off the first ball at gully, Jones ran a risky three before over-throws to the boundary saw him pick up an incredible seven runs straight away.

Ashton began to fight back, with Jones (17), Jack Yeates (12) and Szymura being removed.

Alvaney were left needing just 30 runs off 16 overs, and Warren Speakman (34no) guided them to the required 149-4 from 33.5 overs.

OAKMERE secured a routine five-wicket win at Weaverham, after the hosts made 114 from 41.4 overs.

In reply, Oakmere cruised to 117-5 from 31.2 overs, with Dan Wood (39) top-scoring.

In Division Two, KINGSLEY almost stole victory at home to Lindow, only to end up losing by one wicket.

Batting first, Kieron Ollier (41) and Travis Martin (30) got the innings moving, before Ed Leneghan (25no) took Kinglsey to 179-9dec.

In response, Martin (3-61) took early wickets as Lindow looked to attack.

Despite that setback, the visiting side seemed to be coasting to victory until Adrian Burden (3-41) and Peter Pearce (2-56) sparked a collapse.

Kingsley came within a difficult chance of victory, as Burden failed with a return catch, and Lindow edged home with a score of 182-9.

An early collapse from BARROW saw them suffer a six-wicket defeat at the hands of Mere.

Having been put in to bat, Barrow fell to 16-4, before John Williams (77) guided his side to a total of 163.

Mere reached the 165-4 target with relative ease to seal a deserved win.

At CHOLMONDELEY, the home side drew with Woodford.

Having declared on 252-8, the hosts then restricted Woodford to 231-8.