NORTHWICH continued their climb up the Cheshire County Cricket League’s third division chart when they beat neighbours Winnington Park by five wickets at Moss Farm, writes Mike Talbot-Butler.

Park mustered 167-8 off their full 50 overs, with Jason Holgate 47 and James Gittings 3-34.

The home side replied with 171-5 with eight overs to spare, talented Indian batsman Pranav Dhanawade hitting a run-a-ball 90.

Also in Division Three, Oakmere lost at home to leaders Maritime by 35 runs, despite Matt Hollland taking 6-37.

Warrington beat Barrow comfortably by 53 runs at Walton Lea, while Kingsley held out for a draw at home to Ashley, with Martyn Jenks striking 70.

In Division Two, Christleton suffered a 69-run defeat at home to Ashton on Mersey, while Davenham’s promotion run was halted when they lost by 69 runs at leaders Marple.

Inconsistent Oulton Park were upset at home by Romiley, losing by 15 runs, while Alvanley went down by 10 runs in a high-scoring game at home to Timperley.

In the Premier Division, Toft were trounced by 71 runs at home to Widnes although the issue went to the last over, with Mike Dawson batting well for his 54.

At the top of the Premiership, Didsbury won by 95 runs at Nantwich after posting 270-6. Former Toft batsman Rob Shehmi batted superbly to reach 102.

Results:

ECB Premier League: Alderley Edge 154-4 beat Grappenhall 153; Hyde 88-3 beat Brooklands 84 (Jackson 7-29); Nantwich 175 lost to Didsdbury 270-6 (Sehmi 102); Neston 140 lost to Chester Boughton Hall 142-2; Oxton 117-5 beat Cheadle 111; Toft 190 (Dawson 54) lost to Widnes 261-7.

Division One: Alvanley 190 lost to Timperley 200; Bowdon 115-7 drew with Sale 152 (Lord 6-45); Congleton 50 (Wilkinson 7-25) lost to Bramhall 51-2; Macclesfield 150-4 beat Urmston 146 (Birchall 6-48); Oulton Park 163 lost to Romilley 178-8; Stockport Georgians 150 lost to Lindow 163-8.

Division Two: Cheadle Hulme 184-8 beat Hakle Barns 133; Christleton 201 lost to Ashton on Mersey 307-6 (Hooton 134); Haslington 77-1 beat Stockport 76 (Taylor 6-34); Marple 231-9 beat Davenham 162; NE Cheshire 104 lost to Bollington 197; Port Sunlight 158-4 beat Mobberley 154.

Division Three: Hawk Green 218-4 beat Heaton Mersey 217; Kingsley 216-8 drew with Ashley 243-8; Oakmere 70 lost to Maritime 105 (Holland 6-37); Tattenhall 196 drew with Upton 140-8; Warrington 179-7 beat Barrow 126.

Standings, top three:

ECB Premier League: 1 Didsbury 219; 2 Hyde 216; 3 Alderley Edge 205.

Fixtures for Saturday, noon, include: Premier Division: Toft v Grappenhall.

Division 1: Oulton Park v Timperley.

Division 2: Haslington v Davenham; Mobberley v Bollington.

Division 3: Kingsley v Barrow; Northwich v Ashley; Oakmere v Hawk Green; Tattenhall v Winnington Park.