DAVENHAM recorded a comfortable victory over promotion rivals Oakmere in the derby on Saturday and moved up to fourth place in the Cheshire League Division One.

Oakmere won the toss and elected to bat but the visitors soon made early inroads. When Oakmere opener Paul Yearsley was out lbw for 47 the hosts crumbled from 106-6 to 139 all out in the 39th over.

Not for the first time this season Davenham were indebted to opening bowler Dean Jackson, who finished with 6-50 from 20 overs. Captain Dave Ashley picked up 3-25 from 10.

In reply Davenham lost Mark Greaves with the score on 10, but fellow opener Dave Holden (61) took the game to Oakmere. He was eventually bowled by Stewart Eaton (3-53) in the 23rd over, and the visitors were 93-5, but skipper Ashley (36no) and Jay Cartlidge (10no) saw Davenham home in the 35th over.

The 25 points leave Davenham 18 behind Congleton in the race for the second promotion spot. And they also picked up maximum points in the 2nds fixture, successfully chasing Oakmere’s 174 with four overs left.

RIGHT MOVE ABROAD COUNTY LEAGUE

ECB Premier League

Urmston 200 Oulton Park 260-5 dec

OULTON Park are still in the thick of the title race after getting back to winning ways.

Openers Jonathan Kettle (78) and Daniel Leech (71) got the reigning champions off to a fine start, which was built on by Louis Bentley (49) and skipper Nathan Dumelow (40no).

Dumelow then tore through the Urmston middle order, finishing with 4-34 and helping lift the visitors up to second.

Oulton 2nds (214ao) also won, bowling Grappenhall out for 198.

Division Two

Sale 142-4 Winnington Park 141ao

WINNINGTON remain rooted the bottom after their ninth loss of the season. They won the toss and batted but could only muster 141, with O’Neill (37) and Cherian (25) top scoring.

Matt Atherton took 2-20 but Sale eased home for a six-wicket win which leaves Winnington 22 points adrift of safety at the foot of the table.

Winnington 2nds were skittled out for 46 in the corresponding fixture with only captain Ian Johns (15no) offering any resistance. Sale knocked the runs off for the loss of just two wickets.

MELLER BRAGGINS LEAGUE

Division Two

Weaverham 234-3 Bowdon Vale 210-8

WEAVERHAM moved to within 10 points of second place Barrow at Wallerscote Road on Saturday to stay well in contention for promotion.

After winning the toss and batting the hosts set posted an impressive 234-3, thanks to an opening stand of 137 from Gregg Ayrns (68) and Steve Robertson (94).

In response, the visitors reached 210-8, with skipper Rob McMillan (6-60) the pick of the Weaverham bowlers.

Weaverham 2nds also drew, stuttering to 125-8 in response to Stretton’s 211-5.

Over Peover 252-5 Winsford 169-6

THE hosts won the toss and batted first on a belter of a batting track and recorded a daunting total of 252-5.

Winsford made a confident start to their response but stumbled after losing openers Andy Cooper (30) and Mike Clarke (40).

The middle order crumbled but Colin Dean (50no) and wicket-keeper Brian Smith (28no) ensured Winsford a share of the spoils.

Northwich 235-7 Alderley Park 103-8

NORTHWICH remain top despite dropping points at home to mid-table Alderley Park.

Skipper John O’Sullivan won the toss and batted. Martyn East (43) and Mark Rebbeck (36) top scored as Northwich set the visitors a tough total.

Park showed little inclination to chase it and some dogged middle order resistance ensured they did not go away empty-handed.

Northwich 2nds (107-4) beat Old Parkonians (105) consolidate their position at the top of Division A.

Prestbury 252-5 Barnton 145ao

BARNTON skipper Ben Wingfield won the toss for the first time in nine matches and decided to put the home side in, a decision he was made to regret. Richard Watkins took 3-30 for the visitors.

In reponse Langham (30no), Osborne (33) and Coot (24) chipped in for Barnton, but the away side were found wanting.

It was better news for Barnton’s title-chasing 2nds though. They knocked off Wirral’s 119ao for the loss of just three wickets.

CHESHIRE BUILDING SOCIETY CHESHIRE ALLIANCE

Hartford 142ao Disley 144-2

AFTER last week’s win over league leaders Woodford, Hartford were brought back down to back down to earth with a heavy loss to Disley.

Home skipper Rob Whittle won the toss and batted, but some kamikaze batting from the top order reduced Hartford to 36-5. They recovered slightly thanks Martin Pickup (66), but 142 was never enough and Disley cruised to an eight-wicket win.

Hartford are now 18 points behind Disley in the promotion race.