WEAVERHAM’S hopes of recording only a second success of the campaign in Division One were dashed by a batting collapse against Bollington at Wallerscote Road.

Chasing 145 to win, the Russets reached 90-3 thanks to contributions from stand-in skipper James Lewis (37) and Jake Lightfoot (22).

However they were dismissed for 117, condemning them to a 27-run reverse, in the face of fine bowling from Tom Horsfield (5-14) - figures which include a hat-trick - and Dario Seale (3-26).

Jack Ward (47) had impressed for Bolly after they were put in but George McCormick (3-30) and Josh Adamson (3-27), with support from Rob McMillan (2-48), restricted the visitors to a modest total.

It was an afternoon to forget for the top two as leaders Oulton Park and closest-rivals Davenham both suffered defeats.

Victories for the teams below them in the table – Widnes, Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple – means six teams remain in a race for promotion to the top-flight with half-a-dozen matches left.

Oulton Park’s third loss of 2017 was a clear-cut affair after they were skittled for 93 by the aforementioned Marple.

Jack Grundy (3-16) removed openers Martyn East and Danny Leech in his first over before Pat Morahan (4-8) took charge, with in-form Ben Gibbon (34) and Matt Parkinson (24) the only batsmen to offer resistance.

The hosts had run up 200-6 after Andrew Hall (82) and Mark Makin (70) put on 139 for the first wicket.

East (3-51) made a breakthrough, while Parkinson took 2-50.

Davenham lost a tense encounter by two wickets at lowly Sale, who clinched maximum points from the penultimate ball.

Set a target of 204, their hopes were kept alive by an unbroken ninth-wicket partnership worth 50 between Brooke Gueset (65no) and wicket-keeper Sam Battersby (20no).

Robin Taylor (3-52) and Ben Gough (3-46) were the pick of the visitors’ attack.

They had batted well to post 203-7 with Australian Peter Gallichan (62) – who contributed a fourth half-century of the campaign – and Gough (61) both passing 50.

Improving Northwich earned a share of the spoils from a high-scoring draw at Stockport, where wicket-keeper Luke Tapsfield (116) made a century for the visitors.

He struck 19 fours at the top of the order, and added 116 runs for the second wicket with Chandrika Wathukarage (50) as the men from Moss Farm closed on 210-9.

The home team had posted 224-8 after being put in, with George Barber’s run-a-ball 71 a highlight.

Glinoj Cherian’s leg-spin earned him 4-60, while seamer James Gittings took 2-55.

Unbeaten now in their past five matches, they sit seventh in the Division Two standings.

Results

Vivio Cheshire County League

Week 16

Saturday, August 5

Division One: Macclesfield 117-2 Upton 116; Marple 200-6 Oulton Park 93; Sale 204-8 Davenham 203-7; Warrington 67 Urmston 68-0; Weaverham 117 Bollington 144; Widnes 200 Oxton 121

Division Two: Alvanley 149-6 Barrow 145; Cheadle Hulme 128 Lindow 133-6; Mobberley 112-4 Bredbury St Mark’s 110; Romiley 77-1 Christleton 76; Stockport 224-8 Northwich 210-9; Tattenhall 191-6 Brooklands 190