Cheshire Alliance

Westminster Park secured promotion to Cheshire Alliance Division One by the narrowest of margins on a dramatic final day.

Park claimed a one-run success over Bowdon Vale on Saturday to claim second spot in the league at the expense of rivals Maritime.

Victory had looked unlikely against Bowdon Vale when the home side were skittled for 143 after being placed in to bat first by the visitors.

Ameen Ab Rafi was the star man at the crease for the home side as he carried the fight with a knock of 50 from his 62 balls faced.

Park’s bowlers attempted to halt the visitors in their run chase early on, with the Vale opening duo clean bowled for just 10 runs.

But a flurry of runs from the middle order led Vale to 139-7 and within sight of victory until a stunning finale from the home bowlers.

Aided by Jaskaran Singh’s 4-22, his best figures of the season, and 2-6 from Charan Kondoor, Park took the final three wickets for just three runs.

Following a tense wait at the end of the match, Park celebrated their promotion after their nearest rivals Maritime slipped to defeat at Audlem.

Saughall finished their season with a defeat at home to Stretton in Division One.

The visitors set a lofty total of 224-8, with Mandeep Singh taking 4-67 for the home side.

Saughall’s response got off to a slow start and despite Adam Griffiths’ 44 and a 22 from Singh, the hosts were dismissed for just 94.

Elsewhere, The Groves ended their season on a high note with a 12-run success at Stalybridge St Pauls.

Mike Garvey knocked 52 in The Groves 125ao total before helping to lead his side to victory by taking an excellent 5-20 as Stalybridge were bowled out for 113.

Tacs Partnership Cheshire League

Chester County Officers were relegated to Division Two despite a 117-run triumph at home to Malpas.

Chester needed to get 25 points to have a slim chance of staying up and managed this with some sturdy batting by Steve Birchall (19) , Josh Sivier (33), Chris Wright (44) and a final flourish by Graham Dodd 79no, while Rhys Thomas hit 23no to see the hosts to 219-6 dec.

In reply, Malpas had no answer to John Warrington (6-36), Thomas (2-31) and Mike Clarke (2-27), as they were all out for 95.

But other results went against Chester and they were relegated.

Oakmere will join Chester in Division Two after finishing bottom. They ended their season with a six-wicket loss at Prestbury.

James Williams’ 34 was the standout as Oakmere made 121-9, but Prestbury needed just 29 overs to reach a match-winning 125-4.

Callum Begg starred for Kingsley as he smashed 109no to help his side to an 18-run success at Bunbury. Alan Ritchie hit 68 as Kingsley reached 202-4 while Bunbury were skittled for 184ao in their response.

Barrow scored a six-wicket victory at Cholmondeley as they secured promotion to Division One.

They dismissed the home side for 121 before triumphing with 123-4.

Cheshire League: Division One/Two

Oulton Park emerged victorious with one ball remaining in a high-scoring encounter with Christleton at Little Budworth in Division One.

Visiting Christleton smashed 263-5, including a 100no knock from the excellent Iroshan de Silva, to put them in a commanding position.

But Park had other ideas as they responded with 266-8 with superb knocks of 71 from Pat Roberts, Tom Hyslop’s 54 and an unbeaten 49 from Nick James to seal a two-wicket triumph.

In Division Two, Tattenhall, promoted last weekend, ended their season on a high with a 16-run triumph at Heaton Mersey, a victory which consigned their hosts to relegation.

Batting first, the visitors had Dan Power’s 93 and Henry Dobson’s 53 to thank as they ended their 50-over spell at 234-9.

The home side put up a gutsy display but were eventually stopped at 218ao, with Dave Shewring (4-63) and Power (3-44) the chief tormentors.

Alvanley wound up a good season with a five-wicket success at Warrington, who they dismissed for 191, with Mike Rowlands taking 3-34.

The visitors claimed the win with a total of 193-5. John Suckley’s 59no and Will Speakman’s 43 secured the triumph.