A WEEK after confirming their promotion to the top-flight, Oulton Park recorded a 15th win of the campaign to get their hands on the title.

Captain Patrick Roberts was presented with the silverware by David Humpage, the league’s chairman, during the tea interval of a meeting with Sale at Little Budworth.

The hosts went on to win by nine wickets a game reduced by rain to 80 overs.

After being put in the away side posted 177-8 thanks largely to Brooke Guest, of Lancashire’s second team, who contributed a classy century that included a dozen fours and a six.

Matt Parkinson (3-45) was the pick of the home team’s bowling attack.

Oulton Park responded by reaching 179-1 in 28 overs after openers Martyn East (70) and Danny Leech (58no) had shared in a first-wicket partnership worth 124 runs.

Matt Jamieson (30no) helped finish the job.

The cancellation, because of heavy overnight rain, of Davenham’s scheduled meeting with Bollington means the men from Butcher’s Stile cannot now finish in second spot.

A clash between relegated sides Weaverham and Warrington at Wallerscote Road was also called off.

Northwich were denied a victory at Brooklands in Division Two after umpires abandoned a close contest with 13 balls left.

Captain Mark Walker (53no) had struck a boundary to leave his side nine runs short of their target when Ian Wilson and John Lowe stopped play in increasingly gloomy conditions.

Mohammad Ajmal (24no) was at the crease with his skipper, and the pair had taken the visitors to 112-3 in what they thought was a perfectly-timed chase.

“It’s unbelievably frustrating,” rued Walker.

“There was no consultation at all – we were just told ‘game over lads’ and that was it.”

His side had dismissed Brooklands for 121 with Ajmal (4-34), James Plant (3-42) and Matthew Dufty (2-15) among the wickets.

Results

Vivio Cheshire County League

Week 21

Saturday, September 9

Division One: Oulton Park 179-1 Sale 177-8; Upton 99 Marple 141-6

Cancelled: Bollington v Davenham; Oxton v Urmston; Weaverham v Warrington; Widnes v Macclesfield

Division Two: Barrow 157-5 Stockport 160-7; Brooklands 121 Northwich 112-3 (match abandoned with 13 balls left); Tattenhall 99 Mobberley 105

Cancelled: Christleton v Bredbury St Mark’s; Lindow v Alvanley; Romiley v Cheadle Hulme