MIDDLEWICH won for only the third time this season in Division One on Saturday to improve their chances of avoiding relegation.

They won by three wickets at fellow strugglers Brooklands to end a six-match wait for a victory, putting 20 points between themselves and the drop zone.

Phil Parry (3-10) and Stephen Bliss (3-53) both claimed three wickets each as Middlewich dismissed the home team for 160, Nathan Brown top-scoring with 68.

James Cornford (77no) led the visitors to their target at 162-7, including an unbroken partnership with Stuart Price (21no) for the eighth wicket.

Davenham, five games without a victory, were bestowed with the dubious honour of becoming the first side to lose a league game against Brooklands in a calendar year.

Mark Law (65) and Doug Whyley (53) both passed 50 as the hosts piled up 207-8, seamer Dean Jackson returning figures of 5-86.

The men from Butcher’s Stile were bowled out for 162, 45 runs adrift, with Mike Sambell (36) one of five victims for match-winner Christian Potter during a 12-over spell.

Cheadle were beaten at home by Oulton Park in a low-scoring encounter.

The away team mustered only 145, with Andrew Mills (57 off 41 balls) hitting 11 fours and a six in a quick-fire half-century.

Tail-ender Kieran Berrington (30) upped their total late on.

Cheadle crashed to 108-9 in reply before a last-wicket stand took them to 138.

Captain Rick Moore (4-31) and Tom Hyslop (3-36) were most successful in Park’s attack.

Sunday’s rearranged game against Cheadle Hulme was cancelled due to rain, leaving the teams to share 14 points.

Weaverham recovered at the first attempt from a defeat the previous week to strengthen their hold on top spot in Division Two.

The Russets thumped Upton by nine wickets at Wallerscote Road, where the visitors were routed for 68.

Kevin Douglas (5-25) and Wilden Cornwall (3-36) did the damager before merciless Kevin Waterhouse (41no) found the boundary 10 times to seal victory inside a dozen overs.

Weaverham’s lead at the summit is worth 32 points.

Tattenhall were impressive in an eight-wicket win at Northwich.

Captain Mark Walker (36) made the biggest individual contribution to a low total of 124 at Moss Farm before Ollie Thompson (56no) stroked the visitors to a comfortable victory at 126-3.

Sam Shepherd, so often a match-winner for the home team, claimed 1-31 to leave him two short of 50 wickets.