A RUTHLESS bowling blitz from Vamshi ensured Chester County Officers breezed past Pott Shrigley in Saturday’s Meller Braggins Division Three match.

Vamshi took 8-55 as the home side bowled out Shrigley for just 103, before notching up 106-2 to wrap up the win and extend their lead at the top of the table to 18 points.

Paceman Vamshi began well, clean bowling two batsmen in the third over while the returning Steve Johnson (2-37) recorded five maidens in the first seven overs.

Sam Cleaver steadied Shrigley’s ship with 43 but J Afridi plunged the visitors into deeper trouble by taking two catches.

Shrigley’s final score of 103 was always going to be difficult to defend and so it proved after tea.

Although James Blaxall (8) and Roger Watt (25) succumbed to left arm spinner Matt Jackson (2-40), Mike Rowlands’ unbeaten 52 and Afridi (11no) racked up the runs to take victory and 25 points.

Next week Chester travel to bottom team Bowden Vale but cannot take things for granted as they beat title chasers BUNBURY on Saturday.

Bunbury, who won the toss, had racked up 170-6 before declaring. In reply, Bowdon Vale recorded a narrow victory after making 171-9.