NORTHWICH found their First Division feet at last with an encouraging performance at Aston.
They opted to bat and the runs rattled along. John Hughes, John O'Sullivan and Ashley Sefton all reached the 20s, but it was a last-wicket stand of 57 in eight overs between captain Simon James (52no) and Nick Shaw (19) that took the game away from Aston.
Northwich scored 220-9 and opening bowlers Jim Kimber and Ant Shaw reduced Aston to 40-5. Kimber finished with 4-70 but Aston shut up shop for 156-7.
Northwich 2nds continued their unbeaten stay at the top of Division A. Acting skipper Peter Gibbon took 3-33, Mark Plant 2-26 and Mark Nicholas 2-15, keeping Aston within reach at 157-8.
Nigel Mears hit 65 and Glinoj Cherian 29 in Northwich's 158-6.
Inexperienced Northwich 3rds, 87ao, were beaten by Wirral 88-5 (Josh Spruce 2-29, Lee Evans 2-15).
A large crowd was enthralled to the final over as Northwich bowed out of the Cheshire Shield on Sunday - but came close to winning - scoring 186-6 and being overhauled at 187-9 by Old Parkonians.
Jim Kimber scored 34, Simon James 30; Mark Wrench took 2-20 and Mark Phillips 2-22 and all against a team from two rungs higher.
Northwich U18s 112-3 (Cherian 35no, Luke Harrison 31) beat Oakmere 64 (Scott Hayes 3-14, Nigel Goolding 3-17, Lee Evans 3-10). On Sunday morning, the Under 15s annihilated Moorfield, hitting 156-2 (Cherian 50no, Scott Hayes 52no). Moorfield could manage only 91-4; Northwich U13s 111-9 (Mike Dodd 23, Mike Whitehead 23) Hartford 76 (Craig Douglas 4-7).
At sunny Bunbury, visitors HARTFORD were happy at tea with 203-6 (captain Rob Whittle 62, Neil Hart 45 and Matt Shinkfield 38). But Bunbury won the Division Two game with 207-5.
