WEAVERHAM marked their promotion with a crushing 164-run victory at home to Davenham on Saturday.

After being put in by their neighbours, Kevin Waterhouse (100no) and all-rounder Wilden Cornwall (97) added to a start made by Rob MacMillan (58) at the top of the order as they ran up 322-5.

Slow bowler Dan Hancock was the pick of the visitors’ bowling attack, returning 3-84.

Davenham almost earned a share of the spoils, with tail-ender Ryan Blackie only dismissed in the final over of the contest with the away team on 158.

Ben Gough (22), along with new recruits Callum Begg (22) and Sam Hunt (21), offered the most resistance.

Kevin Douglas (4-37) led the Russets’ bowlers, while Mike Clarke and Cornwall claimed two wickets each.

Elsewhere in Division One, Oulton Park beat Christleton by five wickets at Little Budworth.

Guy Emmett (5-19) and debutant Iroshan De Silva (5-34), against his former club, split the wickets between them as the visitors were knocked over for 120.

Opener Alistair Marks hit 67.

In reply, captain Pat Roberts (47no) and Tom Hyslop (38) put on 73 runs for the fourth wicket to ease the hosts, who had been 14-3, to victory at 123-5.

Cheadle Hulme had the better of a draw with Middlewich in the same section, posting 190-8 with Sam Leech (53) contributing a half-century.

For their guests, Pat Hurley claimed 4-34 with support from new overseas signing Leandro Du Toit (2-35).

After tea, Middlewich reached 152-8 with skipper Nick Gill (37) adding 48 runs for the fifth wicket with Du Toit (30).

He also shared in a 39-run partnership with Stephen Bliss (20no) towards the close.

Northwich suffered an eight-wicket defeat at newly-promoted Bollington, who had all-rounder Sabir Maille to thank for tipping the contest their way.

Stand-in skipper Sam Shepherd (55) and tail-ender Andrew Dufty (28) were the only ones to make a start for the Moss Farm outfit as they folded for 132 after being put in.

Maille, after taking 5-59, then hit a rapid unbeaten 91 as the hosts reached their target in little more than 30 overs.