OULTON Park claimed top spot in Division One for the first time this season after extending a winning run to four matches by beating Warrington.

Opener Martyn East (100 off 105 balls) was the hosts’ star turn, scoring a fine century – which included a dozen fours and three maximums – as his side chased 205 to win.

That included a first-wicket stand worth 129 with Cheshire returnee Danny Leech (40).

Ben Tomlinson (33) chipped in too as they closed on 207-4 to prevail by six wickets.

Warrington’s batsmen had totalled an improved 204-7, their highest score since the opening week of the campaign, after being put in.

Captain Malcolm Agar (80) and Brad McIntosh (38) shared in a second-wicket partnership worth 69 before the former added a further 76 in tandem with Johan Els (50).

Dutch international Muhammed Kashif took 3-63.

It leaves Pat Roberts’ men 15 points clear at the table’s summit ahead of a trip to Sale this weekend.

Oxton, who sit second, inflicted a first league defeat of the campaign on Davenham when they recorded an eight-wicket win.

The men from Butcher’s Stile ran up 174-9 after winning the toss, led by Aussie Peter Gallichan (81).

Sam Hunt chipped in 29 before he was run out, while Matthew Darlington (3-19) and Patrick Magann (3-31) took three wickets each.

The Wirral men responded with 178-2, with captain Jack Smith (90no) signing off in style before a return to his native Australia.

That included a 136-run partnership for the first wicket with Marc De Brabander (62), while Ryan Blackie (2-23) claimed both wickets to fall.

Weaverham continue to prop up their rivals following a four-wicket defeat at home to Macclesfield.

The Russets posted 202-8 batting first, with skipper Ian Eaton (59) and Kevin Douglas (44) – who put on 76 for the fifth wicket – their leading-scorers.

Macc made it to 206-6 with two overs to spare after opener Rob Porter (51) and Tom Tudor (52) both contributed a half-century.

Ryan Simm, with 3-41, was the most successful of Weaverham’s bowling attack.

They are now 21 points from a position of safety going into a crucial meeting with second-bottom Warrington this weekend.

Northwich moved up to third in Division Two as a reward for a five-wicket win at Christleton, who they dismissed for 172.

Mohammed Ajmal (5-45) returned his best figures for the campaign so far for the visitors.

James Plant (62no) and captain Mark Walker (46) rescued the Moss Farm men’s reply from a perilous position at 30-4, sharing in a fifth-wicket partnership worth 97 runs.

Lee Evans (18no) helped the former see their side to 173-5 with four overs remaining.

Results

Vivio Cheshire County League

Week Nine

Saturday, June 17

Division One: Bollington 175-9 Sale 201-9; Oulton Park 207-4 Warrington 204-7; Oxton 178-2 Davenham 174-9 dec; Upton 78 Urmston 79-1; Weaverham 202-8 Macclesfield 206-6; Widnes 197-9 Marple 270-5

Division Two: Barrow 208-1 Mobberley 204-8; Brooklands 224-3 Stockport 220-7; Christleton 172 Northwich 173-5; Lindow 207-5 Bredbury St Mark’s 201-7; Romiley 153-8 Alvanley 153; Tattenhall 157 Cheadle Hulme 161-6