Davenham get the job done

Davenham ought to have more points on the board than they do in the Cheshire County League’s second division.

However it is early enough in the campaign to avoid a ‘what might have been’ ending, and a 97-run demolition of in-form Oxton at Butcher’s Stile is just what they needed.

Dan Hancock’s men have been competitive following a slow start that yielded back-to0back defeats in the opening fortnight, and beating opponents that had won their past four league matches will be a big lift.

Ben Gough (6-40) and Ryan Blackie (4-15) combined to skittle the visitors for 74 on Saturday.

A Russets win could be worth more than 25 points

Weaverham’s second win of the season in Division Two could be a crucial one.

If there was pressure of expectation with back-markers Runcorn, beaten in each of their previous seven league matches, due at the WCG then they handled it.

Ian Eaton’s men passed 180 for only the second time this term – and they were victorious on the previous occasion too – and gave their bowlers a total they could defend.

Kevin Douglas and Zulqarnain Aslam duly delivered the wickets the Russets needed to record a 28-run victory that promotes them to ninth in the table.

In praise of Sam Connop

Barnton will have felt pensive after losing both Adam Garrod and Dan Gilbert since the end of last season, and rightly so.

However Sam Connop, from the same club in Australia as the latter, has put together a string of performances that has filled a gap that duo left.

He contributed another half-century, adding to a ton and a 50 last month, during his side’s comfortable 83-run victory against Prestbury in the Cheshire League’s top-flight on Saturday.

There have been wickets too, 19 of them in total, that make him the team’s most productive bowler.

Is there any stopping Oakmere?

No, at least not yet.

They were too good for Irby in a Cheshire League Division Two encounter on Saturday, easing to a five-wicket win after their bowling attack – with Nick Guest taking his turn in a leading role – was again in destructive form.

Home team knocked over for 119, the men from Overdale put an eighth successive win on the board inside 30 overs.

They progressed too in the T20 Cup in midweek at the expense of neighbours Winnington Park, and now sit 27 points clear of Chelford at the top of the table.

More encouragement for Middlewich

Middlewich celebrated an eye-catching win, by a seven-wicket margin, at Stockport Trinity to inflict on the promotion-hopefuls a second successive defeat.

Captain Phil Parry and Kieran Boyle led the way, taking four wickets each to leave the home team 106 all out.

The latter then shared in an unbroken partnership worth 85 runs with Stephen Parry to see the visitors to their target in the 21st over.

Middlewich, seeking to stabilise after three successive relegations, look to be doing exactly that after losing only one of their past six fixtures in Cheshire League Division Two.

Improving Winsford continue rise

Winsford have won three of their past four games in the Cheshire League’s fourth division, and are upwardly mobile in the table.

They were too good for Glazebury at the weekend, cruising to a 103-run victory that featured a fine all-round performance by Ben Crellin.

After contributing 81 with the bat, he weighed in with two wickets as the home team succumbed for 85 in reply.

Dave Etchells took 3-12, and is enjoying a consistent campaign that has seen him reach double-figures for victims taken.

A heavy defeat against then leaders Knutsford at the start of this month was a reminder of where Winsford need to get to, but they’re heading in the right direction.