JAMES Plant’s half-century proved decisive as Northwich recorded a first league win of the campaign on Saturday, beating Upton by one wicket at Moss Farm.

His contribution of 64 was bolstered by knocks from Chamindu Ishanka (27), Ashley Sefton (26) and Sam Shepherd (24no) as the home team chased 190 to win.

It meant Matthew Ingram’s five-wicket haul for Upton was in vain.

The visitors had been dismissed for 189 after they chose to bat, but all-rounder Ishanka (6-37) continued where he left off last week with another six-wicket haul.

In Division One, Weaverham suffered a surprise 51-run defeat – their first in the league since August – at home to Oxton.

After losing the toss, the Russets’ attack struggled to break a partnership between Sri Lankan Gayan Fernando (60) and James O’Neill (47) as the visitors totalled 214-8.

Wilden Cornwall (3-74), Rob MacMillan (2-57) and Mike Dean (2-28) prevented that tally from being a bigger one.

Weaverham’s usually reliable batting line-up could not deliver a victory on this occasion, with Fernando (6-78) and Mahesh Rajaratne (4-50) combining to knock them over for 163.

Wilden Cornwall (65) and Matthew Jamieson (35) resisted.

“We were beaten by a better team,” said Weaverham captain Ian Eaton.

“There are so many good sides at this level, and we have to be on top of our game every Saturday if we want to compete with them.”

Runs continue to elude Davenham, who lost by 22 at Didsbury.

Needing 174 to win, they slipped quickly to 34-4 before Ben Gough (45) and Tim Niemand (34) combined to add 82 for the fifth wicket.

Callum Begg (21no) was defiant, hitting four boundaries, but he ran out of partners.  

The visitors had persuaded Dean Jackson to make his first appearance of the campaign, and earlier in the afternoon he had knocked over Didsbury’s tail with ease to return figures of 8-65 from 24 overs.

Oulton Park polished off Tattenhall, an eight-wicket victory promoting them to fourth in the table.

Iroshan de Silva (6-33) claimed a second five-wicket haul of the campaign, supported by Guy Emmett (3-44), as they bowled out the visitors to Little Budworth for 132.

De Silva (38no) then played a supporting role to skipper Pat Roberts (67no off 62 balls) to help Oulton rack up the required runs in 22 overs.

Teenager Brad Yates (114no) scored a maiden century for Urmston as they posted 282-5 in a draw at home to Middlewich.

Stephen Bliss and Pat Hurley took two wickets each.

The visitors reached 181-6 in reply, James Cornford (72no) their leading run-scorer.

Results

Vivio Cheshire County League 
Division One, Saturday:
Didsbury 173 Davenham 151; Oulton Park 133-2 Tattenhall 132; Sale 248-6 Cheadle Hulme 200-6; Timperley 244-6 Christleton 246-3; Urmston 282-5 Middlewich 181-6; Weaverham 163 Oxton 214-8.

Division Two: Bollington 235-9 Stockport 218; Brooklands 151-6 Bredbury 147-9; Mobberley 157 Congleton 159-2; Northwich 193-9 Upton 189; Warrington 187-3 Irby 183; Widnes 169-9 Alvanley 180.