BARNTON started their latest bid to reach the league’s top flight with a heavy 136-run defeat at home to Chelford.

After winning the toss, the visitors amassed 239-8 with Mohammed Zaman (114) dropped twice on his way to a first century of the season.

Bowlers Pat Flanagan (4-45) and debutant Cory Devanny (3-76) were rewarded with wickets for their perseverance.

Barnton struggled in reply, succumbing for just 103 with Adam Garrod (27) and Jack Whalley (16no) their most promising performers.

Winnington beat Oakmere, relegated from Division One last season, by 41 runs at the Rec.

They posted 146-9 after being put in, with Ian Woodcock (36) and skipper Alec Butcher (23) their leading run-scorers.

Nick Guest (5-53) and Guy Groves (4-52) were Oakmere’s stand-out performers with the ball.

They collapsed to 105 all out in reply, with Rick Lyons (23) one of only four batsmen to reach double figures.

Ian Connor (5-38) was the pick of the hosts’ bowling attack.

Kingsley cruised to a seven-wicket win at home to Haslington, making it to 92-3 by the 22nd over with Mitchell Headrick (50) reaching a half-century.

Earlier, Matthew Gabbott (3-34) and James Faint (3-1) combined to send back the visitors for 91. Steve Kitchen added 2-21.

Winsford lost heavily, by 154 runs, at Wilmslow in Division Three.

The hosts, for whom Elliot Rowe contributed an unbeaten century, totalled 240-5 after winning the toss.

Colin Dean (3-20) and Mark Dean (2-44) shared the wickets before the visitors collapsed to 54 all out.