NORTHWICH beat promotion rivals Bunbury to keep their noses in second place in Division One.

Their hosts were bowled out for 205 after making light of the North-wich openers. It took a good spell from Mark Wrench and Peter Gibbon to get Northwich back in the game, with Wrench enduring a stamina-sapping 21 overs for 3-76.

Nick Shaw, fully recovered from his shoulder injury, took chunks out of Bunbury's expected total as he constantly took wickets. He eventually dismissed the last man with the hosts setting a target distinctly lower than they expected thanks to his nine-over spell of 6-38.

Mark Phillips hit 36 and Wrench 21, and with 13 overs to go, North-wich seemed to be cruising. Disaster struck when John O'Sullivan went for 43 and Northwich fell to 159-7.

Simon James compiled a patient 25 and Andrew Pickstock (24) claimed the glory with an imperious six in the penultimate over, Northwich 208-7.

Northwich 2nds 220-6 dec beat Bunbury 2nds 120ao.

A new star was discovered in 15-year-old wicketkeeper Martin East as he composed his maiden century to dominate the game.

He hit 12 fours and seven sixes in an unbeaten 130, the highest innings recorded so far at Moss Farm

Dean Kendrick (3-34) and Lee Evans (4-34) rounded off the victory, which keeps Northwich top of Division A. nPromotion favourites HARTFORD got back to winning ways against Wilmslow Wayfarers.

Being asked to field first seemed a blessing as Graham Prew nipped in for an early couple of wickets. Wayfarers regrouped and looked set for a decent total as they reached 84-3, Prew taking 3-24. The fast outfield was making run-scoring particularly easy and it was only with the introduction of the slow bowlers that Hartford got a real grip on the game. Rob Whittle collected 5-24 as the visitors collapsed to 104ao in just 35 overs.

In reply, the Hartford openers did not hang around, clattering an array of boundaries all around the ground. Neil Hart scored 69no and Dave Brandreth 29no as Hartford romped to a 10-wicket victory inside 24 overs at 108-0.