OULTON Park continue to set the pace in a race for promotion to the top-flight, although they had to earn a 61-runs victory against Urmston.

The hosts slipped to 53-5 inside the first hour at Little Budworth, but stand-in skipper Martyn East (68) held together the innings with support down the order from Ben Gibbon (39) and Jack Oldham (32) as they posted 201 all out.

James Espley took 4-41.

Urmston were dismissed for 140 in reply, with Andrew Hards (3-16) and Matt Parkinson (3-61) making initial inroads before Muhammad Kashif (2-27) finished the job.

Their lead at the table’s summit is worth 36 points.

Davenham climb to second in the standings following a nine-wicket derby win at lowly Weaverham, who they knocked over for 71.

Captain Dan Hancock (4-12 off eight overs) led from the front, supported by Robin Taylor (3-30) and Stephen Bliss (2-8).

Russ Walker (23) was the Russets’ leading run-scorer, and only three batsmen posted a two-digit tally.

The visitors needed little more than 15 overs to compete a double this season over their neighbours, with Ben Gough (32) and wicket-keeper Mike Sambell (26no) showing the way.

Weaverham remain bottom of the table, 44 points adrift of a position of safety.

Northwich had the better of a low-scoring draw at Tattenhall in Division Two.

The visitors’ tally of 134 was well below-par after openers Glinoj Cherian (32) and Joe Walker (33) had laid a foundation, only for skipper Stuart Sadler (6-32) to halt the Moss Farm men’s progress.

However Tatters limped to 129-8 in reply, with Mel Dobson (20no) holding out at the bottom of the order after off-spinner Andrew Dufty (4-25) had threatened to take the game away from them.

James Plant (2-43) had broken through earlier in the innings.

Results

Vivio Cheshire County League

Week 12

Saturday, July 8

Division One: Bollington 122 Upton 174; Macclesfield 176-6 Warrington 173; Marple 229-4 Oxton 175-8; Oulton Park 201 Urmston 140; Weaverham 71 Davenham 72-1; Widnes 207 Sale 167-5

Division Two: Alvanley 233-7 Christleton 198-8; Barrow 102-1 Bredbury St Mark’s 98; Brooklands 151-9 Lindow 168-9; Cheadle Hulme 182 Mobberley 219-9; Romiley 132-1 Stockport 128; Tattenhall 129-8 Northwich 134