NORTHWICH kept the pace with Division One leaders Chester Co Officers with a maximum points victory over Romiley.

They are 11 points off the pace set by the unbeaten leaders, but stayed in touch after chasing down home side Romiley’s total of 167 for 7.

The Moss Farm outfit knocked off the runs for the loss of five wickets, reaching 171 for 5 to earn a second maximum point win of the season.

Winnington Park were unfortunate not to earn their second win of the season after a one-sided affair at home to Prestbury.

Greg McKeown, 51, and James Hendry, 26, laid the foundation for the middle order of Matt Bebbington, 39, and Chris Johns, 30 not out, to take the Park total to 183 for 5 and an early declaration.

In reply, the introduction of leg-spinner Jonathan Wales, 4 for 34, swung the game back in Park’s favour, with the visitors slipping from 34 for 1 to 69 for 7.

Their tail end held on for a frustrating total of 93 for 8 to earn a draw, but Park coach Mike Johns remained positive, saying: “I’m proud of all eleven players today.

“We’ve been searching for a team performance and today we got it, so hopefully we can build on this in the coming weeks.”

Oakmere fell to defeat against the league leaders, with opening batsman Paul Yearsley offering the best of limited resistance with 30 in an innings of 140 all out.

Michael Cushion’s figures of 3 for 17 were impressive in reply, but that could not stop Cheshire Co. Officers reaching the total for the loss of five wickets.

In Division Two, new recruit Toby Mills struck an unbeaten 63 to help Kingsley win a close encounter at home to Lymm Oughtrington Park.

Lymm reached 144 for 8 as James Feint’s excellent total of 5 for 50 led the Kingsley bowling.

In reply, solid contributions from Ben Stoddart, 32, Neil Rowlands, 32, sent them on their way before Mullins hit 10 off two balls in the penultimate over and set up the winning four from Ed Leneghan.

Barnton managed maximum batting points from their defeat to Mere, choosing to bat first and struggling to 44 for 4.

Luckily a fifth-wicket partnership between Coot and Wingfield enabled Barnton to reach 181 for 7, which, while not enough to beat a Mere side that reached 183 for 3, was enough to snare them 12 league points.