GARETH Boys and Chris Gatrell were the standout performers as Ellesmere Port pulled off a dramatic victory at Haslington.

Captain Boys bagged impressive bowling figures of 6-45 before Gatrell took centre stage in Port’s heroic run chase.

The number six batsman smashed a decisive 74 off 59 balls – including 11 fours and one six – as the visitors successfully chased down Haslington’s score of 207-9 to post 208-9.

While Ellesmere Port have had a slow start to the Cheshire Alliance season, Haslington’s good form made them favourites for Saturday’s Division One clash.

The home side won the toss and decided to bat first.

Dwayne Bernard (2-32) claimed an early victim to leave Haslington on 10-1 but Jack Moran (59) inspired a recovery, taking his side to 129-3 before being trapped LBW by Boys.

Paul Betteridge removed Tom Gledhill before Boys took over, ripping through the Haslington lower order.

Port’s reply got off to in inauspicious start and, at 77-6, they looked a beaten side. But Gatrell and Pete Hyndman (30) turned the match on its head, taking the score to 157 before Hyndman’s innings ended.

More wickets fell and Gatrell was the ninth batsman to depart – but Fahad Khan (4no) and Matt Davies (3no) saw the away side home.

Ellesmere Port host Old Parkonians this Saturday (2pm).