KINGSLEY extended their lead at the top of Division Three with a convincing win away at Castrol.

Electing to field first on a track that had been livened up by heavy overnight rain, Aussie Travis Martin continued his fine form by claiming his third five-wicket haul of the summer. Wickets were shared by Kingsley’s other bowlers who also kept things tight as Castrol were dismissed for a lowly 84.

John Elliott (21) and Russell Cook (36) took advantage of a more benign track after tea, putting on 51 for the first wicket. Ed Leneghan (25) then accelerated the scoring as Kingsley completed an eight-wicket victory.

At BUNBURY, the home side slipped to defeat against Lindow.

Having set 162-7, Bunbury were unable to prevent Lindow from reaching 165-7.

Craig Phelan was the match-winner as OAKMERE scraped another victory towards promotion from Division One.

Stewart Eaton (4-58), Chris Nelson (3-26) and Pete Hutchinson (3-35) dismissed Runcorn for 147 in 40 overs, but it was not an easy win.

Paul Hutchinson (22) and Stewart Eaton (37) were the best of the top order, but Phelan’s unbeaten 37, including two crucial fours in the 48th over, ended Oakmere’s bout of hiccups as they reached 148-9.

ALVANLEY travelled to runaway leaders Brooklands and managed a fighting draw.

Brooklands elected to bat first but were soon in trouble against the new-ball pairing of Chris Charles and James Wheelahan, tumbling to 25-3.

The hosts’ fourth-wicket pair hit 131, taking their team from trouble to 207-4.

Alvanley started brightly but Andy Bennion was caught at point for 15 and fellow opener Ben Pearce was adjudged lbw soon after.

A succession of Alvanley batsmen reached the teens before perishing, Mark Szymura the top-scorer with 27.

It was left to Wheelahan and Pete Pearce to calmly guide their team to 151-9 and a creditable draw.

CHOLMONDELEY were thwarted by a resilient last pair at Trafford MV.

A shower reduced the game to 44 overs each and Cholmondeley did well to reach 180-7.

Captain Will Hockenhull (82) and Simon Gardiner (56) put on 124 runs and some lusty hitting from Jim Middleton added 25.

Trafford lost early wickets and the procession back to the pavilion continued, bringing the last pair to the crease with three overs to go.

They resisted doggedly until stumps for a losing draw, finishing on 88-9. Shaun Young picked up five wickets and Ian Ratcliffe, on his return after a break of three years, took three.

MALPAS had a miserable day, losing at Ashton-on-Mersey by six wickets.

Ashton’s opening bowler Chris Roscow, who finished with 5-37, helped restrict Malpas to 110-8 in a 38-over match due to rain (Jon Suckley 34, Keith Rickett 16).

The paltry total was always going to be difficult to defend but a fine spell from Dave Hunt (3-44) gave a glimmer of hope – until Ashton eased home by six wickets in the 35th over.

In Division Two, relegation-threatened CHESTER COUNTY OFFICERS put up a good score at Alderley Park but still could not clinch that vital victory. Tony Hattersley (55) and Mike Rowland (80) put on a magnificent stand of 130 for the first wicket on a slow pitch, which enabled Chester to declare on 175-4.

However, a missed run-out and two dropped catches cost CCO dear as the first three batsmen set up a solid platform.

Two wickets tumbled to put CCO back in the game, but the home side kept their heads to win in the penultimate over. Mike Pownall and Graham Wilks took two wickets apiece.

BARROW fought out a draw at Lymm having batted first and posted 209-5. Lymm’s batsmen held firm and finished on 156-6.