AIDAN Malley claimed the prize wicket of Lymm opener Travis Scholes to help Barnton record a 71-run success in the Cheshire League on Saturday.

It sends Simon Hancock’s men, unbeaten in five matches since being promoted to the Division One, to the table’s summit.

After setting their hosts a target of 138 to win, Neil Langham (4-31) and Cory Devanny (3-19) quickly reduced them to 45-7 inside 19 overs.

Malley’s removal of Scholes, who had been marshalling the hosts’ tail-end, ended Lymm’s resistance as they succumbed for just 66.

Barnton had posted 137-7 after losing the toss, although openers Paul Coot (21) and Callum Doyle (70) put on 40 for the first wicket.

Partnerships were hard to come by afterwards, and Jack Whalley’s late cameo increased the final total.

In Division Two, Oakmere amassed 224-6 before declaring away to Prestbury.

Captain Craig Phelan (117) struck 13 fours and half-a-dozen maximums during a superb innings that included a century partnership for the third wicket with Australian Harrison Jones (64).

However heavy rainfall denied them a chance to bowl out their hosts, forcing the fixture’s abandonment.

Kingsley’s contest with Haslington at the Croft ended the same way.

They dismissed their guests for 161, taking the final seven wickets for 66 runs with Ben Stoddart (5-51) and returning Adrian Burden (3-33) in fine form.

Jack Moran (62 off 57 balls) had scored aggressively at the top of the order for the visitors.

Kingsley’s reply reached 78-3, with Brent Hartley (37) and wicket-keeper Ed Leneghan (27no) the main scorers, before the heavens opened.

Sam Barnes was Winnington Park’s star turn during a six-wicket success at home to Woodford.

The youngster picked up 5-42, with all of his victims caught behind, to help bowl out the visitors for 138 after they opted to bat.

It’s a decision they likely regretted after falling to 51-6, only for a seventh-wicket stand worth 61 runs between Lewis Clarke (37) and Simon Elms (33) to stop the rot.

Iain Connor (2-23) and Phill Amatiello (2-22) chipped in too.

Winnington eased to their target by the 40th over, a collective effort led by Ben Coulbeck (39no off 35 balls) with contributions from skipper Alec Butcher (20), Martin Evans (26) and Aussie Jordan Daly (37).

“Sam set the tone for an important win,” said Butcher afterwards.

“His opening spell was fantastic, and he tore through their top order.

“I was pleased as well to see we’re starting now to show strength in depth with our batting, with a number of players digging in to contribute.”

Results

UKFast Cheshire League

Saturday, May 21

Division One, Saturday: Heaton Mersey 89-4 Bredbury St Mark’s 88; Irby 146-8 Ashton on Mersey 151-3; Lymm 66 Barnton 137-7; Runcorn 133 Romiley 29-0; Stockport Georgians 139-5 Poynton 136-7 Abandoned: Hale Barns v Disley

Division Two: Kingsley 78-3 Haslington 161; Port Sunlight 179-5 Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge 85; Stockport Trinity 99-6 Ashley 98; Winnington Park 142-4 Woodford 138. Abandoned: Prestbury v Oakmere No game: Chelford