Knutsford 73 Northwich 161-8

NORTHWICH got their promotion campaign back on track at relegation-bound Knutsford.

Scoring was difficult on an uneven and unpredictable wicket as well as a soggy and uncut outfield.

In-form captain John O'Sullivan used up several partners before he was out for 62 - his third successive half-century.

To their credit Knutsford stuck doggedly to their task and at times frustrated the Northwich bowlers. Openers Matt Lightburn and Nigel Goolding took a wicket each and there were two for spin-ner Lee Evans, but it was the accuracy of Scott Hayes (3-8) and John Price (3-7) that claimed victory.

* Northwich knocked Davenham out of the League Cup in midweek.

Davenham were restricted to 114-6 from their 20 overs. Only Aidan Baker (50) posed any problems for the North-wich bowlers before he was caught on the boundary by Mike Whitehead, while Scott Hayes and Lee Evans took two wickets each.

Northwich lost both openers early but an 88-run unbeaten stand for the third wicket between John O'Sullivan (52no) and Mike Brandon (38no) led Northwich home with 15 balls to spare by an impressive eight wickets.

Northwich will now host Weaverham tomorrow in the quarter finals.

* Northwich 2nds won a tense game at Moss Farm against the team that started the match as Division B leaders.

Alvanley 2nds were restricted to 131-8 in 45 overs, Rich Maddock taking two early wickets, Matt Jamieson returning 2-11 and Dean Kendrick 2-22.

But it was not easy for Northwich, who scored 134-8 to win. James Hodgkinson (29) and Chris Yearsley (23) did well but Northwich slumped to 83-7 before Mad-dock (34no) shared a stand of 30 with Pete Gibbon and rekindled thoughts of a win.

* Northwich 3rds 108ao lost to Audlem 2nds 111-4 (Dave Murphy 1-23). (48.1 overs)

* Under 18s: Northwich 144-5 (Chris Yearsley 52, Matt Jamieson 34, Mike Whitehead 33no) beat Stretton 69-7 (Whitehead, Jamieson, Scott Hayes all 2-10); Under 15s: Northwich 139-3 (Hodgkinson 50 ret. Yearsley 51) Oxton 7-2 rain stopped play;

Davenham batted first and were restricted to 114-6 from 20 overs. Only Aidan Baker (50) posed any problems for the Northwich bowlers before he was caught on the boundary by Mike Whitehead (who has had a good week!), with 2 wickets each for Scott Hayes and Lee Evans.

Northwich lost both openers early but an 88 run unbeaten stand for the third wicket between John O'Sullivan (52*) and Mike Brandon (38*) led Northwich home with 15 balls to spare by an impressive 8 wickets. Northwich will now host Weaverham next Thursday in the Quarter Final and for the unofficial champions of Vale Royal.