Davenham 169-8 Cholmondeley 168-9dec
DAVENHAM piled on the promotion pressure, thanks largely to Dean Jackson who set the platform for victory.
The acting skipper was Davenham's outstanding bowler and his 4-50 off 18 overs did most to restrict the Chums to a modest total. Paul Wright took 2-22.
Regular openers, Louis Bentley and Dave Ashley set about the task of overhauling the visitors' score, with an aggressive spell of batting which lasted the 15th over when Ashley (29) was caught.
With the score on 96 Tom Screen joined Bentley, and the two continued to score at a steady rate taking the score to 127 in the 21st over.
Bentley went for 79 and Screen continued to 37 not out with Davenham just one point behind second-placed Hale Barns.
Stockport 266-4 Weaverham 181ao
After winning the toss Weaverham were always on the back foot.
Their bowlers toiled against in-form bats and Alan Bell, Jamie Allen and Rob McMillan picked up a wicket apiece.
The Weaverham innings started as a run chase with Allen hitting a quickfire 51 and Lucas Fraser adding 26, but there were no other main contributors, although McMillan (25) and Jon Lightfoot (20) ensured they got maximum batting points in their fight for First Division survival.
Weaverham 2nds settled for a winning draw as they were bowled out for 153 although they had Stretton on the brink at 151-9.
At 70-7 Weaverham looked doomed but 15-year-old Stefan Bell (32no) and Mike Rogerson (41) pulled the innings around.
Oakmere 175-6dec Tattenhall 151-9
Oakmere put a check on Division One leaders Tattenhall.
The home side batted first and made steady progress around the innings of Paul Hutchinson (56).
Andy Norton claimed five Tattenhall wickets in the last meeting and this time returned figures of 5-66 from 22 overs. At the other end Hutchinson completed a personally successful day with three wickets and three catches, but the final wicket eluded a frustrated Oakmere side.
Mere 155ao Winsford 165-5
Winsford avenged their early season home defeat by Mere and strengthened their promotion argument in Division Two.
While Mike Clarke made the breakthrough and a run out - the first of three - by Mike Barrett further impeded Mere, it was the bowling of Barry Crellin and Dave Etchells which kept the home side straight-jacketed.
Opening bats Mark Nicholas and Barrett were wary of the new ball and after 10 overs had accumulated just 10 runs. Then Barrett gradually began to time the ball with some elegant drives and cuts and the game swung Winsford's way.
Nicholas was the first to go with the score on 44 and Barrett, on 48, having compiled a fine 40.
When Andy Cooper was out lbw with the score on 64 Mere were in the ascendancy, but after Crellin was dropped first ball, Winsford emerged as winners.
Crellin made 26, but it was the innings of Mike Clarke (55no) which was the match-winner.
Winsford seconds took on Port Sunlight with Mike
Lancaster sharing an opening partnership of 96 with Andrew Washington (92) before going to make a man-of-the-match innings of 95 himself.
Port Sunlight did not take up the challenge and the Winsford bowlers were unable to make much progress (James Tierney 2-33).
Barnton 160-2 Ashton-on-Mersey 157-9dec
Barnton outplayed top-of-the-table Ashton doing promotion hopefuls Winsford a favour while easing their own relegation thoughts along the way.
Ashton were pegged back by good opening spells from Matt Morley and Ken MacDonald. With runs at a premium, they tried to pick up the pace, but Neil Langham picked up 4-36 to leave Mersey on 157-9.
Mike Cross (43) batted well in the anchor role while Ben Wingfield (47) supplied the power and aggression at the other end to lay the foundations for victory. Paul Coot came in to replace Wingfield and also took the game to the visitors, scoring 44 before being caught with the target in sight.
Barnton 2nds kept up their promotion drive with a one-sided victory at Holmes Chapel, who were demolished for 58 by Derek Bowyer (8-23).
Openers Keith Noden and Mattie Bebbington knocked off the runs.
Northwich 170-3 Knutsford 164ao
Northwich hauled themselves into third place in Division Three and are set for their third successive promotion fight.
With four opening bowlers unavailable the under-18 pair of Nigel Goolding and Scott Hayes took the new ball but it was when skipper John O'Sullicvan changed to his spin option the wickets began to fall.
Glinoj Cherian made the breakthough with the score on 69 and reduced Knutsford to 99-3, finishing with 5-66 with teenage spinner Matthew Jamieson taking 4-21.
Scott Hayes (69) and Andy Gerrard (55) took Northwich to within striking distance of victory and O'Sullivan completed the job with a six.
Northwich 2nds made 218-5 and then bowled out Knutsford for 88.
Dean Kendrick, back from injury, took to the crease with the score at 18-3 and left just six runs short of his century. Matt Rushworth hit 50 and Danny East 22.
Mark O'Neil took 3-12 and Ashley Sefton 3-17 to remove the top order and allowed Northwich to share the bowling around.
Northwich 3rds, 48ao, were beaten by Rylands 2nds, 51-3, on Sunday.
