KINGSLEY passed their sternest test of the season so far when they extended a winning sequence to eight matches on Saturday.

Set a target of 204 to beat second-placed Woodford, they reached it with four overs spare to establish a 25-point lead at the top of Division Two.

Harris Yasin (65) and captain Toby Mullins (24) put on 69 runs for the fourth wicket after coming together at 55-3.

Travis Martin (48 off 45 balls) then counter-attacked, striking four maximums with some brutal hitting, before Owen Rowlands completed a three-wicket win with a stylish six.

Woodford had closed on 203-4 earlier in the day, a tally improved by overseas signing Robert Sodomaco (125no) hitting out late on.

A series of dropped catches blotted the visitors’ copybook, while Martin took 2-61.

Barnton’s batsmen gave Congleton a fright when they attempted to defy the conditions during a run-chase in Division One.

Set a target of 158 to win, they closed 21 runs short after losing 18 overs to rain at a drizzly Broomsedge.

Paul Coot (25), Dan Gilbert (24) and Pat Flanagan (32 off 18 balls) built on a foundation laid by in-form Jack Whalley (29) at the top of the order, only to run out of time against ultra-defensive opponents.

Earlier, Neil Langham (1-39) and Gilbert (2-40) made a breakthrough to reduce the visitors to 29-3 before a 60-run stand for the fourth wicket between captain Dave Moors and Jack Goode steadied Congleton’s innings.

However Flanagan (2-30) and Adam Garrod (2-42) continued to apply pressure before the visitors closed on 157-7.

Captain Phil Parry returned figures of 4-32 for Middlewich in the same section, reducing visitors Port Sunlight to 85-6, before rain prompted the abandonment of their meeting at Haddon Field.

Winsford posted 149-5 before declaring in a Division Four encounter with Trafford MV at Knights Grange, where rain prevented any further play.

Quick-scoring Michael Dean (60no off 64 balls) and Mark Skellon (23no) shared in an unbroken partnership for the sixth wicket worth 60 before the heavens opened.

Earlier, Andy Sellars also notched 23 at the top of the order.

A stunning performance in the field by Hartford made them favourites to beat Bowdon Vale in Division Five.

Rob Whittle (4-46) and Gopal Raju (4-9) combined to dismiss the home team for 93, supported by three catches by wicket-keeper Martin Pickup.

However the visitors collapsed to 75 all out in reply, suffering an 18-run reverse.

Results

UKFast Cheshire Cricket League

Week Eight

Division One: Barnton 137-7 Congleton 157-7; Hale Barns 204-5 Ashton on Mersey 30-0; Runcorn 86 Irby 62; Stockport Georgians 129-9 Lymm 130-0

Cancelled: Haslington v Disley; Middlewich v Port Sunlight

Division Two: Prestbury 242-4 dec Heaton Mersey 172; Wilmslow 209-3 Chelford 101; Winnington Park 143-4 Oakmere 139-8; Woodford 203-4 Kingsley 206-7

Cancelled: Poynton v Ashley

Division Four: Holmes Chapel 198-8 Westminster Park 44-3; Old Parkonians 89 Audlem 56; Tranmere Victoria 125 Knutsford 67

Cancelled: Winsford v Trafford MV

Division Five: Hartford 75 Bowdon Vale 93; Kerridge w/o Rostherne; Saughall 110-8 Mossley 111-5

Cancelled: Heaton Mersey v Malpas; Styal v Frodsham