Alvanley’s terrific second half of the season continued with a cracking performance against Congleton which secured their County League Division Two status for 2016.

The result moved them above their visitors and has them hunting a mid-table spot in the remaining two weeks of the campaign.

Skipper Chris Charles lost the toss and the bowlers were given first use of a pristine Alvanley pitch that was to offer pace and bounce.

Congleton were 50-3 when they lost Aussie Max O’Sullivan, trapped in front by Kenny Roberts, but a solid stand between Jack Higginbotham and Adam Woodall took the score to 104.

However, Mike Rowlands was not to be denied. He returned terrific figures of 5-40 off 13.2 wily overs while Charles ended with 3-43 as Congleton were dismissed for a below par 180.

In the absence of Jimmy Ecclestone, Andy Bennion was promoted to open with Rowlands. The pair met the new ball with aggression to post 27 in five overs before Rowlands played around a full ball to get cleaned up.

Bennion continued to attack and, in partnership with Ste Charles, added 96 in just 16 overs before Charles went for 28. But Bennion was in irrepressible mood, attacking all the bowlers and, in striking 15 fours and a six, careered to 83 before dragging on to his stumps with the score on 134. His knock came off just 73 balls.

Alvanley still had 47 runs to find – and they were able to make it to a winning 181-6.

Christleton kept their hopes of staying up alive with a six-wicket win on the ground of their relegated Division One rivals Middlewich.

The hosts were bowled out for 81, Matt Astbury taking 4-26 for the Swans.

In reply, Tom Norris was unbeaten with 40 as Christleton replied with 82-4.

The two clubs above Christleton both won to ease their troubles. Davenham beat an out of sorts Oxton at Butcher’s Stile. Timperley, meanwhile, moved ahead of their rivals with a convincing 81-run win at Tattenhall after posting 242-5.

The backbone of the innings was a 135-run third-wicket stand between Asif Iqbal (83) and John Fisher (66), with Dan Cooper adding 55. Tattenhall were bowled out for 161 (John Harding 44), the wickets being shared.

Oulton Park are up to third place, albeit 27 points behind second-placed Sale, after roundly defeating Weaverham at Little Budworth. Park totalled 216-7, skipper Pat Roberts scoring 55 and Danny Leech 47 as Wilden Cornwall took 4-75.

But the normally strong Weaverham batting collapsed to 140 (Mike Clarke 44), Martin East snatching 3-2 after Iro De Silva had taken 3-22.

In the Premier Division, Chester Boughton Hall recorded their first league victory since early July in a high-scoring game at home to Alderley Edge.

The hosts ran up 252-9 (Warren Goodwin 95, Mark Rowland 48; Sean Sturrock 4-76). Alderley got to 233 in reply, Jack Williams bagging 4-64.

A fair share of the spoils

Chester County Officers could not quite chase down Oakmere’s target in a vital Cheshire League battle.

With both sides near to the bottom, Oakmere batted first and posted a competitive total of 192-9ic (Paul Yearsley 67no, Steve Johnson 4-87, Scott Latimer 3-75).

After tea Chester fell just seven runs short with 185-6 (Steve Holland 46, Mike Jones 26, Alan Watt 24).

This weekend Chester visit second-placed Haslington, who hammered Bunbury last time out.

Haslington made 272-6dec (Jonny Phipps 112) and Bunbury, a man light, were 180ao (James Bettaney, 84 Tom Gledhill 7-47) in reply.

Also in Division Two, Kingsley eased to victory with 130-3 in reply to Winnington Park’s 126ao.

In Division One, Barrow all-but sealed promotion with a seven-wicket home win over Hale Barns.

The visitors batted first and were 131ao (Matthew Parks 3-44, Malcolm Barrow 3-33) and Barrow won with 135-3 (Parks 39no).

Relegated Malpas lost at Ashton-on-Mersey, who batted first and made 265-3dec. Malpas were 178ao (Keith Rickett 91) in reply.

Division Three strugglers Cholmondeley’s 164-9 earned a draw in reply to Wilmslow Wayfarers (197-5dec).

Edged out by leaders

Depleted Saughall were narrowly beaten at top-of-the-table Stretton in the Cheshire Alliance.

Batting first, the Chester team scored 163-6 (James Huxley 55, Lawrence Gotts 24). Chris Andrews (4-43) let the fight but Stretton won with 164-7 and sealed promotion.

Saughall skipper James Huxley said: “We were missing key players but I’m proud, we could have won.”

Also in Division One, Westminster Park’s 189ao (Z Umer 35no) bettered Pott Shrigley’s 142ao (Q Saad 6-37).

In Division Two, Frodsham hammered Mellor when they posted 192-7ic (Matt Williamson 59) and bowled the visitors out for 41 (Richard Warburton 7-14).

Second time is unlucky

Chester Deemons lost to Wistaston in the Cheshire Women's League T20 Divisional Cup final for the second successive year.

The Swans batted first and made 100-4. Chester could only manage 80-5 (Beth Nicholson 22no) in reply.

Oakmere Kats easily won the Plate. They posted 103-5 (Shami Ahmed 27(ret), Kate Skelhorn 25(ret), Vicky Heaton 21no) then bowled out Trafford MV for 34 (Sarah Worsdale 7-2 and Rachel Tidd 2-17).