DAVENHAM picked up the points they needed on Saturday to secure promotion from Division Two as champions.

They bowled out their hosts Bredbury St Mark’s for 105, with Michael Hitchens claiming a five-wicket haul.

And his teammates then cruised to a seven-wicket success at 110-3 after tea, when Chris Truelove (66no) contributed an unbeaten half-century.

Oulton Park edged ahead of rivals Weaverham in a battle for second place following a seven-wicket win at Wallerscote Road.

Jon Lightfoot (52) found the boundary eight times – adding two maximums – in the Russets’ innings, but he struggled for support as they were dismissed for 116.

Richard Smith (5-42) and Kieran Berrington (3-25) did the damage.

Oulton later eased to victory, opener Simon Torlop (64no) and Mark Latham (26) sharing in a partnership worth 59 runs for the second wicket.

Northwich could not prevent promotion-chasing Cheadle Hulme from recording a 59-run success at Moss Farm.

The visitors totalled 187-8 after being put in, with the hosts’ attack sharing the wickets to fall.

Jordan McDonough, Callum Sutcliffe, Gavin Twigg and Mark Wrench claimed two victims each.

Northwich were dismissed for 128 after tea, when Mark Phillips (30) and Sutcliffe (28) were their leading scorers.

The batting order’s tail-end could not hold out for a draw, with the final wicket falling with four overs still to play.

Opener Tom Shepherd (115) scored a maiden century for Middlewich as they recorded only a second success of the season at Congleton in Division One.

Jason Bliss (46) and Phil Nelson (31no) contributed too as the visitors posted a huge 245-4 off 50 overs.

They then ripped through the home team’s order, skittling them for 59.

Nelson (4-2), Jonty Cottam (2-11) and Brandon Oaks (2-9) did most of the damage.