OAKMERE, victors in nine successive Division Two matches after pummelling Poynton by 10 wickets on Saturday, are at last within reach of a promotion position.

Opening pair Adrian Stubbs (78no off 76 balls) and Rick Lyons (37no) took the glory as they raced to 118-0 inside 29 overs, but they were able to only because of another fine bowling effort at Overdale Lane.

Mike Cushion led the way with 4-18 during a 14-over spell that included half-a-dozen maidens, supported by Stubbs (2-43), as Poynton mustered 117-9 batting first.

A distance to second-placed Prestbury, Oakmere’s hosts this weekend, is now 18 points with five matches left.

Winnington Park celebrated back-to-back wins in the same section for only the second time this season when they beat Chelford.

Michael Dunning (5-18) and in-form Jonny Wales (4-7) laid a platform for victory when they skittled the hosts for 52.

Zaheer Khan then took 4-26 to make Park sweat a little before Tony King (19no) steered the visitors to 53-5.

Leaders Kingsley lost by seven wickets at home to Prestbury after putting in their poorest performance of the campaign.

They struggled to recover after a terrible start on a soft track, with Ed Leneghan (39no) and Tom Waring (29) the only batsmen to emerge with credit as they slumped to 108 all out.

Gurvinder Singh took 6-20.

Adrian Burden (3-27) increased his tally of victims for the season to 58, but the visitors eased to 109-3 with plenty to spare.

Barnton continue to look over their shoulder at rivals behind them after a five-wicket reverse at Ashton on Mersey in Division One.

They totalled 171-4, with Callum Doyle (65) and Adam Garrod putting on 68 runs for the first wicket.

Paul Coot (34) chipped into.

However Ashton replied with 173-5, a 77-run partnership for the second wicket between Tom Scott and James Lines (both 42) helping them on their way.

Garrod, with 3-33, was the pick of his side’s bowlers.

Middlewich missed an opportunity to rise from the relegation zone when they lost by 46 runs at back-markers Irby, who posted 203-5 after winning the toss.

The men from Haddon Field were dismissed for 157.

Winsford’s batsmen could not deliver a victory for their side in an 89-run reverse at Tranmere Victoria in Division Four.

Andrew Sellars (5-26) had shone earlier in the day, helping dismiss the home team for 171 with support from Dave Etchells (3-26).

The Knights Grange outfit were knocked over for 82 after tea.

Colin Dean, with a run-a-ball 21, was one of only three visiting players to reach double-figures.

Hartford suffered an afternoon to forget after they lost by 37 runs at home to Division Five promotion-hopefuls Styal.

Matt Shinkfield (6-14) had given them hope as the visitors were toppled for 90 at Grange Park.

Rob Whittle weighed in with 3-19, only for the hosts to collapse to 53 all out after Jahan Soni (6-21) and Andy Tatton (3-27) ripped through their batting order.

Results

UKFast Cheshire League

Week 17

Saturday, August 12

Division One: Ashton on Mersey 173-5 Barnton 171-4; Congleton 238-5 Haslington 79; Irby 203-5 Middlewich 157; Port Sunlight 168-6 Stockport Georgians 166-7; Runcorn 216-6 Hale Barns 215-8. Abandoned: Disley v Lymm

Division Two: Chelford 52 Winnington Park 53-5; Heaton Mersey 110 Ashley 137-9; Kingsley 108 Prestbury 109-3; Oakmere 118-0 Poynton 117-9; Stockport Trinity 71 Woodford 56; Wilmslow 122-3 Bunbury 119

Division Four: Audlem 126 Holmes Chapel 156; Knutsford 94 Old Parkonians 56; Pott Shrigley 113 Westminster Park 213; Tranmere Victoria 171 Winsford 82

Division Five: Bowdon Vale 218-9 Kerridge 93; Frodsham 157-8 Mellor 64; Hartford 53 Styal 90; Malpas 87-2 Mossley 86; Rostherne 40 Saughall 174-5