Review of Week Five

10:00am Thursday 22nd May 2008

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NORTHWICH had to settle for a winning draw despite Martyn East scoring a second successive century.

The teenager has been one of the season's stars so far, improving on last week's knock to hit 136 in his side's 230-8 declared against Over Peover at Moss Farm in Division Two.

East, 17, plundered 17 fours and five sixes in a remarkable innings, prompting captain John O'Sullivan to declare early, leaving the visitors 48 overs to reach their target.

They rarely looked in the mood for a chase, Stuart Hayes and John Price claiming two wickets apiece in Peover's 137-6 to leave Northwich frustrated as Alderley Park's win at Chester County Officers allowed them to nick top spot.

Points: Northwich 15, Over Peover 8.

WINSFORD'S bowlers earned their team a first win this term, also in Division Two.

Five members of their attack claimed victims in a resounding eight-wicket win over Bowdon Vale at Knights Grange, with Andy Beswick (3-24) the pick of the bunch.

Gary Sargeant, James Tierney, Mike Clarke and skipper Barry Crellin all chipped in as the visitors slumped to 95 all out.

Opening pair Martin Barrett (28) and Andy Cooper (27) laid the platform for victory in the worsening gloom before Clarke, searching for form, eased the hosts' home at 96-2.

Points: Winsford 25, Bowdon Vale 1.

BARNTON tasted defeat for the first time this summer at Wilmslow.

In a match reduced to 38 overs each by the rain, Matty Bebbington and Neil Langham both took four wickets to justify skipper Steve Yarwood's choice to field first as the hosts closed on 146-9.

The visitors struggled in reply, Paul Coot (35) the only batsman to show any resistance as they slipped to 111 all out in the penultimate over.

Points: Wilmslow 25, Barnton 6.

STEVE Pinnington continued his fine form as Weaverham drew with Prestbury at Wallerscote Road.

He scored 93 in his team's mammoth 244-9, captain Rob McMillan (46) and Kiwi Greg Ayrns (36) making valuable contributions on an excellent wicket.

Prestbury were never in the hunt, reaching 184-4 by the close, happy to bat for a share of the spoils as James Ollier (2-52) and Chris Hemmings (2-41) shared the wickets.

Points: Weaverham 14, Prestbury 12.

A STUBBORN last wicket stand denied Oakmere in their Division One clash at Runcorn.

The hosts, needing 12 to win from the final over, took the safe option to play out a maiden and close on 127-9 in reply to their opponent's 138-9.

Nick Ball (4-28) and Stewart Eaton (3-36) tore through the Runcorn top order before the tail wagged.

Earlier Oakmere recovered from a disastrous start, stumbling to 60-7 before a 50-run partnership between Pete Hutchinson (33) and Bill Crank (24no) eased their blushes.

Points: Runcorn 9, Oakmere 11.

KINGSLEY made it five straight wins to take top spot in Division Three.

This time Castrol were their victims at the Croft, where captain Mark Butcher (60) took centre stage with a batting masterclass.

Openers John Elliott (35) and Russ Cook (45) were the other main contributors in the hosts' 172-7.

Castrol lost an early wicket to the left arm swing of Adrian Burden, later to claim his third five-wicket haul of the season, before the visitors' launched a victory bid.

Travis Martin saw off their danger man, then Burden (5-44) chopped off the tail before Butcher completed an impressive victory with a run out as Castrol closed on 133.

Points: Kingsley 25, Castol 6.