OAKMERE are through to the last 32 of the UKFast Cheshire League’s T20 Knockout following a comfortable eight-wicket win against Winnington Park on Thursday night.

Set a target of 122 to win at Overdale Lane, they needed only 14 overs to get there.

Openers Adrian Stubbs (34no) and Nick Guest (37) set the home team on a course for victory after putting on 55 runs.

CJ van der Walt, Oakmere’s overseas signing from South Africa, then added 53 more with the former – striking five fours and a six in his 37 – to settle the outcome.

Park had closed on 121-6 after being put in, skipper Alec Butcher (31) and Jonny Wales (26) their leading scorers.

Matt Howard (2-25) and ver der Walt (2-18) were the pick of the hosts’ bowlers, while Guest held on to two catches in the outfield.

Oakmere’s reward is to host Winsford in the second round next month.

The men from Knights Grange received a free pass after opponents Hartford withdrew.

Barnton’s early-season struggles continued after they lost by six wickets at lower-ranked Appleton in Warrington.

Jordan Cobley (28) and Adam Garrod (52 off 40 balls) put on 87 runs for the second wicket for the visitors after they had won the toss, but their teammates could not build on that foundation.

However Ian McAuley (3-9) halted that early momentum as the innings closed on 130-7.

Appleton, unbeaten after five matches in Division Three, made it to their target with five balls to spare, led by Alex Wright (41no) after Graeme Rowlands (30) and Richard Buck (23) had chipped in.

Garrod (1-22), Langham (1-18) and Simon Hancock (1-13) shared the wickets.

Meanwhile Middlewich eliminated Over Peover, of Division Three, after successfully chasing 130 at Wellbank Lane.

Results

UKFast Cheshire Cricket League

T20 Knockout

Thursday, May 25

First round

Appleton 132-4 Barnton 130-7; Aston 140-9 Bunbury 93; Haslington 137-2 Congleton 133; Irby 127 Port Sunlight 193-4; Lymm 135-5 Frodsham 133-7; Maritime 136-1 Wirral 132-6; Mossley 136-6 Wistaston Village 169-5; Oakmere 123-2 Winnington Park 121-6; Over Peover 129-8 Middlewich 133-7; Runcorn w/o Stretton; Winsford w/o Hartford

*Second round matches scheduled for Thursday, June 15