OAKMERE took another step towards claiming the Division Two title last weekend despite being held to a draw by Ashley.

A defeat for second-placed Stockport Trinity, who host Craig Phelan’s men on Saturday, leaves the men from Overdale Lane 55 points clear at the table’s summit.

They put 186-4 in the score-book after being put in, South African Slade Mitrovich (73no) leading the way with a sixth half-century of the campaign.

Openers Adrian Stubbs (30) and Alex Hodges (43) had laid a foundation by taking Oakmere to 67 without loss.

Ashley 130-8 in their reply, and their chase never gathered momentum after finding themselves 23-3.

Matt Howard (2-18), Phelan (2-71) and Nick Guest (2-19) took a brace of wickets each.

Middlewich extended an unbeaten run to three matches in the same section after battling to a draw at Maritime.

Captain Phil Parry (32no) and Sam Brothers (21) dug in down the order to ensure the visitors reached 145-8 after Kieran Boyle (29) and Stephen Parry (22) had made starts earlier.

Maritime declared on 203-9 after Stephen Parry (5-48) had applied the brakes to their run-rate.

Winnington Park ended a run of four successive defeats when they edged out Irby by three runs at the Rec.

Skipper Alec Butcher (26) and Jonny Wales (67no) put on 47 runs for the second wicket before the home team ground their way to 158-8.

Waqar Khan, with 5-41, proved a difficult opponent.

Aussie Tyron Young (4-13), Park’s overseas signing, then took a match-clinching wicket to deny the visitors who closed on 155 all out.

Wales (4-35) capped a fine individual display by improving his haul for the campaign to 36 in league and cup.

Kingsley could not find a way to beat bogey side Port Sunlight in Division One, although a 21-run reverse is the closest encounter between the teams for quite some time.

The visitors to the Croft were bowled out for 144 after Hayden Lanza (5-39) and Travis Martin (5-30) joined forces.

However the Crofters struggled in reply, and were knocked over for 123 with Ben Stoddart (29) and Tom Hughes (27) the pick of their batsmen.

Barnton could not build on an encouraging performance in the field as they fell to a 20-run defeat at Cheadle Hulme.

Pat Flanagan (4-33) and Sam Connop (4-12) continued early progress made by Neil Langham (2-52) as the home team were restricted to 133 after winning the toss.

Scoring big totals has proved to be beyond Barnton for most of the campaign, and only Connop (28) and Paul Coot (23) posted a threat as they tumbled to 113 all out.

Winsford’s woes continued in Division Four when they lost by three wickets at home to Tranmere Victoria – a sixth defeat in their past seven games.

The hosts were grateful to Brian Smith (62no) and Ben Crellin (23) for rescuing their innings from collapse at 22-5, adding 79 runs during their time together at the crease as their side scored 128.

Mark Sergeant (3-24) and Ross Gilder (2-15) at least made Tranmere work hard for their fifth league win of the campaign, which they secured in the 38th over at 132-7.

Results

UKFast Cheshire League

Week 17

Saturday, August 11

Division One: Ashton on Mersey 211-9 Lymm 160; Cheadle Hulme 133 Barnton 113; Disley 48 Haslington 50-1; Kingsley 123 Port Sunlight 144; Prestbury 67 Congleton 187-8; Stockport Georgians 92-0 Bredbury St Mark’s 89

Division Two: Middlewich 145-8 Maritime 203-9 dec; Oakmere 186-4 Ashley 130-8; Stretton 194-6 dec Poynton 72; Wilmslow 194-7 Chelford 259-8; Winnington Park 158-8 Irby 155; Woodford 109-6 Stockport Trinity

Division Four: Audlem 51-2 Frodsham 47; Bowdon Vale 141 Over Peover 257-6; Knutsford 152-8 Glazebury 148; Westminster Park 107-6 Styal 102; Winsford 128 Tranmere Victoria 132-7; Wistaston Village 18-0-6 Trafford MV 120