CHRISTLETON reached the last 16 of the National Village KO on Sunday with a comprehensive victory over Woodhouses of the Lancashire County League at Little Heath on Sunday.
They went into one of the biggest games in their history brimming with confidence on the back of some excellent league form.
Having beaten Pontblyddyn in the regional final a fortnight earlier, Christleton managed to restricted the visitors to 179 with Alex Barr and Guy Newell taking two wickets each.
In reply, Christleton stuttered early on, losing three wickets within the first 12 overs, but a solid partnership of 50 between Chris Hollindale (21) and Gillson steadied the ship.
Opener Gillson soon reached his half-century and, with the help of Barr, began to take the bowling apart.
Gillson who was the mainstay, finishing with a magnificent 90no and unlucky not to have the time to reach a deserved century.
Barr finished with some big hitting to end 58no as Christleton won with overs to spare and wickets in hand. They now go to Stainsby Hall or Swindon on July 11.
Maroof Khan was the star of Saturday's seven-wickets triumph over Winnington Park in the Murray Smith Cheshire County League's first division.
The visitors were put into bat first and started well, putting on 50 for the first wicket, but as soon as the openers were removed, there was little other resistance. Newell ripped through the order with an excellent 5-28 and Park were soon bowled out for 155.
The second innings was all about Khan. He continued his excellent form by blitzing the bowling attack to all parts right from the start. He smashed a number of monster sixes and plenty of other boundaries, until he was eventually dismissed for a fantastic 100.
Nick O'Connell finished the game off with a cameo 19no as Christleton finished winners at a canter.
Oulton Park's Liam Buchanan played one of the great innings of the season to help the Little Budworth side beat Oxton in Saturday's league match.
He blasted 110 off 60 balls, including six sixes and 15 fours as Park steamrollered their way to an eight-wicket win, extending their lead in the Premiership to 34 points.
Danny Leech finished with an unbeaten 40 as the pair put on 143 for the first wicket.
This was in reply to Park's 163-5, Stuart Eaton claiming 2-30.
Chester Boughton Hall drew with Wirral rivals Ne -ston, but they could claim a moral victory. They declared on 214-4 after Warren Goodwin hit 82 and Steve Ogilby 47, before having the visitors hanging on at 133-9. Chris Hackett top-scored for Neston with 34 while Alex Kegg took 5-40 for Chester and David Atkin 3-32.
Tattenhall were beaten at promotion second favourites Congleton, but not without a fight.
Tattenhall were put in and got off to a good start with the openers Dawson and Ahmed reaching 57 in the 19th over, before the Australian Dawson skied one off his legs and was caught at square leg.
Graham Harper (47) then came to the crease, forcing the home team on to the back foot. When Ahmed was out for a solid 38, Andy Phelan smashed 48 in seven overs with some trademark shots, helping Tattenhall declare after 43 overs on 184-4.
Congleton's Australian, Taylor, played some forceful shots straight down the ground and ended up with 99no as Congleton reached their total.
In a game reduced to 37 overs a side, Malpas stayed in contention for the Meller Braggins Cheshire League title with a thrilling victory at bottom club Alvanley.
The hosts were restricted to 143-9 with David Hunt taking 5-27 from eight overs and, in his first senior match for two years, Simon Bradley chipped in with 2-60.
Alvanley skipper Glen Pickersgill was their star with 58, John Farmer added 25 and Nick Hawking chipped in with 16no.
Hunt was also in good form with the bat, hitting 46 as Malpas chased the target, while Stuart Bradley saw the visitors home by two wickets off the penultimate ball of the day, finishing with an unbeaten 41. Andy Senior took 4-55 for Alvanley.
Cholmondeley got home by five wickets after a delayed start at home to Old Parkonians, who scored 159-7 with Mike Beckett top-scoring on 52. Steve Egan was the leading wicket taker again with 3-30.
In reply, Simon Fletcher and Phil Evans ensured Cholmondeley were always with the run rate, reaching 80-1 off 18 overs before Fletcher was out for 45.
At 105-5 off 26 overs, the innings needed another good partnership and Latham, with Evans, put together a 55-run partnership which ensured Cholmondeley won by five wickets with four balls to spare, Evans finishing with 55no and Andy Latham 22no.
Cheshire Alliance side Chester CO had a blank weekend as the weather wrote off the first and second-team fixtures against Aston, while Sunday's Cheshire Alliance Cup tie at Kingsley fell flat as the village team failed to raise a side. Chester progressed to the semi-final on July 11 against Castrol by default.
Chester visit Northwich in the league tomorrow. Results, fixtures and tables are on page 30.
