DAVENHAM remain on course to be promoted as champions after cruising to an eight-wicket win at home to Cheadle Hulme.

The hosts’ bowling attack, featuring wicket-hauls for Ryan Blackie (3-13), Chris Truelove (3-32), Dave Ashley (2-24) and Oli Gallagher (2-8) combined to skittle their guests for 79 at Butcher’s Stile.

They needed less than 10 overs to surpass that total, with Truelove (39no) and Ashley (31) leading the way.

It leaves them 27 points clear of closest rivals Widnes at the top of Division Two.

Weaverham won by six wickets in the same section at Mobberley, where a second-wicket stand worth 96 runs between Alex Stitch (69) and Rob Harrison (33) propelled the Russets towards their target.

Needing 180 to win, Stef Bell (27no) eased them the rest of the way.

The visitors had dismissed Mobberley for 179 after losing the toss, with Doug Pinnington (5-28) and Rob Dickinson (3-43) returning the best bowling figures.

Northwich went down by eight wickets at home to Widnes, who successfully chased 257 to win.

The hosts posted 256-9 after being put in, but Mark Wrench and Gladwin Cherian were the only bowlers to break through after tea when Mike Byrne (91) and Tim Wearden (95no) led Widnes’ reply.

Tom Garnett (124no) scored an unbeaten century as Oulton Park ran up 280-3 away to Bredbury.

Damian Barton contributed 74 at the top of the order too.

However the home team earned a share of the spoils at 175-6, with Barton, Steve Jackson and Richard Smith each claiming two-wicket hauls.

Middlewich suffered a two-wicket defeat at home to Tattenhall in Division One.

Choosing to bat after winning the toss, they made it to 216 at Haddon Field with Steve Parry’s run-a-ball 75 – including nine fours – a highlight.

However Andrew Zimmer’s five-wicket haul proved in vain after tea, when Tatters secured victory at 217-8.