OULTON Park eased to a victory against struggling Weaverham on Saturday that edges them closer to a Premier Division return.

The men from Little Budworth have now won 12 of their 17 matches this season, more than any other side across the league’s three tiers.

They knocked over the Russets for 86 after winning the toss, with in-form duo Matt Parkinson (4-49) and Muhammad Kashif (4-17) joining forces effectively.

Alex Nash (32) was the pick of the visiting team’s batsmen.

Oulton Park cruised to 89-3 in reply, with Cheshire opener Danny Leech (54no) hitting 11 fours in an unbeaten knock after putting on 46 runs for the first wicket with Martyn East (28).

Kevin Douglas (3-22) took the wickets to fall.

Weaverham, beaten now in their past dozen matches, are 89 points adrift of third-bottom Sale with five matches left.

Davenham slipped from second in the table to fifth following a 21-run reverse against Malpas at Butcher’s Stile.

Danny Hancock’s men will have felt confident after restricting their guests to 148 all out, the skipper taking two wickets in support of a fine solo effort from Stephen Bliss (4-23).

However the home team collapsed for 127 against Andy Greasley, who returned impressive figures of 6-43 from 15 overs.

Mark Greaves (25) and Ben Gough (40 off 41 balls) had put on 58 at the top of the order before the visitors’ spinner broke through.

Widnes move into the second promotion place, 43 points adrift of Oulton Park, after denting Bollington’s hopes with a 94-run success.

Meanwhile Macclesfield, comfortable victors by eight wickets on their visit to Oxton, occupy third position.

Alvanley edged a low-scoring encounter with Northwich at Moss Farm, where they limited the hosts to 120-9 off 50 overs.

Gladwin Cherian (23) was the leading scorer, while Stephen Charles (3-26) and Billy Ouzounidis (2-45) starred for opponents that remain in a race to be promoted.

Opener Andy Bennion (38) set them on course to a victory at 124-7, a winning reply that featured three run-outs while Andrew Dufty took 3-13.

Mohammad Ajmal (1-40) took the other wicket to fall.

Northwich, who host relegation-threatened Bredbury St Mark’s this weekend, slip to eighth in the table.

Results

Vivio Cheshire County League

Week 17

Saturday, August 12

Division One: Bollington 70 Widnes 164-8; Davenham 127 Marple 148; Oulton Park 89-3 Weaverham 86; Oxton 140 Macclesfield 142-2 Upton 194-5 Warrington 134; Urmston 258-4 Sale 130

Division Two: Barrow 191 Tattenhall 162; Bredbury St Mark’s 272-3 Stockport 274-5; Brooklands 110 Romiley 159-9; Christleton 201 Cheadle Hulme 183; Lindow 73 Mobberley 211-9; Northwich 120-9 Alvanley 124-7