NORTHWICH posted their biggest total of the campaign so far in a Cheshire County League fixture to prevail in a derby against neighbours Weaverham.

They were dismissed for 211, with the highlight a 73-run partnership for the third wicket between Joe Walker (35) and Tharusha Fernando (60) – the latter scoring at a rate of a run a ball after finding the boundary 10 times.

He added a further 55 runs with Mark Walker (70) too in the Division Two encounter.

The visitors to Wallerscote Road lost their final five wickets for just 39 runs as the hosts rallied, Kevin Douglas (5-18) ripping through the lower-order.

Ryan Simm took 2-38.

Weaverham’s reply started promisingly when Douglas (31) and James Fascione (24) took them to 59 before the former was run out.

Andrew Dufty (5-29) and Fernando (2-28) then assumed control as the Russets tumbled to 90-7 before Hayden Bell (20) and Jonny Littler delayed what was from that position an inevitable outcome.

They closed on 139 when Glinoj Cherian dismissed Littler with only his second ball.

Oulton Park’s bowlers held the key to a fourth successive victory for their side in the Premier Division, this time by an eight-wicket margin at Bramhall.

They restricted the hosts to 157-9 off 55 overs, with teenage ace Ben Gibbon (3-20 off 10 overs) leading the way with support from Tom Hyslop (3-37) and in-form Muhammad Kashif (3-42).

A partnership of 54 runs between Sam Johnson (27no) and Oliver Latter (26) for the seventh wicket, after they had come together with the score at 94-6, boosted the home team’s tally.

The men from Little Budworth cruised to their target, Muhammad Shahbaz (51no) and Hyslop (54no) taking them to 159-2 during an unbroken stand worth 95.

Davenham fell short in a chase to beat Urmston during a Division One fixture at Butcher’s Stile.

Needing 153, they were bowled out for 149.

Their innings lacked any momentum from the outset, although while Christian Kouris (30) was at the crease their hopes were alive.

He was the ninth man out, and Nathan Turner (3-34) completed a job started earlier by Cole Turner (5-41) when he removed Stephen Bliss (16).

Urmston had earlier posted 152-9, and a collective effort from Ben Gough (3-24), Dean Jackson (3-57) and captain Dan Hancock (3-17) kept them in check.

However the hosts will be frustrated not to have capitalised after having their opponents in trouble at 33-4 before Chris Turner (44) and Craig Grindley (29) added 73 runs together for the fifth wicket.

Results

Vivio Cheshire County League

Week Six

Saturday, Ma 26

ECB Premier Division: Bramhall 157-9 Oulton Park 159-2; Chester Boughton Hall 199 Timperley 201-7; Grappenhall 155-6 Nantwich 159-4; Marple 174 Alderley Edge 164; Neston 212-8 Didsbury 110; Toft 194-6 Cheadle 192-9.

Division One: Bollington 162-8 Widnes 165-4; Bowdon 205 Barrow 99; Davenham 149 Urmston 152-9; Hyde 199-8 Upton 236-8; Sale 107-8 Macclesfield 106; Stockport 82 Oxton 83-2.

Division Two: Brooklands 89-2 Alvanley 83; Lindow 246-7 dec Hale Barns 203; Romiley 247-5 Mobberley 96; Tattenhall 237-8 Christleton 238-4; Warrington 201-8 Runcorn 160; Weaverham 139 Northwich 211.