KINGSLEY skipper Toby Mullins hailed his side’s ruthlessness after they battered Barnton by nine wickets in Division Two on Saturday.

The Crofters climb to third after recording back-to-back wins for the second time this term.

“Now we have to keep reaching the high standards we’ve set for ourselves,” said Mullins.

He chose to bowl after winning the toss, and a marathon 22-over spell from seamer Aussie Travis Martin (5-47) restricted the visitors to 108 all out.

James Faint (3-21) provided support, while Paul Coot (19), Adam Garrod (22) and Cory Devanny (18) fell after making starts.

Openeing pair Ben Stoddart (38no) and Mullins (40), bowled by Garrod (1-19), moved the hosts towards their target before Mitch Headrick (22no) finished the job.

“We weren’t patient enough at the crease,” rued Barnton captain Simon Hancock afterwards.

“Nor did our bowlers find the right areas consistently enough.

“It was a poor performance, but it’s early in the season yet.”

Winnington captain Alec Butcher admitted his bowling attack had too small a total to defend during a five-wicket defeat at home to Chester County Officers.

They picked up only three points after being bowled out for 98, allowing closest rivals Lymm to draw level at the top of the table.

“We let ourselves down with the bat,” said Butcher.

“Our resilience meant we always believed we could win, but we just gave ourselves too much to do with the ball.”

Sam Barnes (32) and Jonny Wales (35) provided resistance for the fourth wicket before Alex Kerrison (4-21) scuppered them both.

Park removed four of Chester’s first five batsmen before they reached double figures, with Wales (3-37) taking his wicket tally for the season to 20.

But knocks from Stuart Putson (43) and captain Chris Wright (25no) took Chester to 102-5.

Oakmere were 14 runs short of guests Ashley’s total at Overdale Lane, where they needed 135 to win.

Rick Lyons (39) and Paul Yearsley (30) shared a third-wicket partnership worth 55 runs, but Jake Cairns (5-28) precipitated a collapse once David Alves (4-31) removed them.

Ashley had posted 134-7, with James Mazarelo (50) and Subtain Baig (42) putting on 64 runs for the fourth wicket. Craig Phelan took three wickets

Dave Tierney almost carried Winsford to a first victory in Division Three, taking 7-42 against Cholmondeley at Knights Grange.

However Chum, chasing 74 to win, squeezed home with two wickets to spare.

Earlier, the hosts had been routed for 73.

Results

TACS Partnership Cheshire League
Division Two, Saturday: Chelford 153 Stockport Trinity 157; Haslington 109-3 Woodford 108; Kingsley 109-1 Barnton 108; Lymm 140-3 Bunbury 134; Oakmere 120 Ashley 134-7 dec; Winnington 98 Chester CO 102-5. 

Division Three: CH Ladybridge 121-9 Alderley Park 125-6; Sandbach 126 Port Sunlight 175; Langley 147-9 dec; Wilmslow Wayfarers 131; Wilmslow 142-9 Over Peover 147-6; Winsford 73 Cholmondeley 74-8; Wirral 171-8 dec Aston 73.