MATTHEW Morley returned lifetime-best bowling figures to help Barnton seconds secure a thrilling tie with their Runcorn counterparts on Saturday.

He took 8-32, including two wickets in a close encounter’s final over, as the visitors’ reply stalled on 138.

Leigh Cobley claimed three catches behind the stumps, while Derek Bowyer (2-25 off 11 overs) was economical earlier in the innings.

Barnton had been invited to bat after losing the toss, closing on 138-8 thanks to a recovery led by opener Gary Edwards (60) and nephew Dylan Burrage (19) after they had slipped quickly to 15-3.

Oakmere ended a Division B encounter with Haslington level too, the wicket of Lewis Newell (34) the final one to fall as they chased 83 to win at Overdale Lane.

They had dismissed their guests for 82 after winning the toss, Matthew Worsdale (4-12 off eight overs) leading the way.

Tom Hughes (43) guided hosts Kingsley to a comfortable nine-wicket win against Cholmondeley at the Croft, supported by fellow opener Lee Tasker (21no) as they eased to victory at 77-1.

They had skittled Chum for 75 after winning the toss, sparked by Luke Bratt’s fine early catch.

Tasker (3-7), Joe Kitchen, Jonny Storey and Alex Wilson were among the wickets, while Anthony Alderman conceded only 15 runs in nine overs.

Winnington Park climbed from the Division B basement, successfully chasing 129 to beat Malpas by three wickets at the Rec.

Joe Patterson (34) and Sam Speak (37) shared in their team’s biggest partnership of the campaign so far, worth 80 runs, before the hosts collapsed to 95-6.

Bryan Shingler and Gagandeep Bali saw them home.

Earlier, Shingler (3-34) increased his tally for the campaign to 10 wickets before James Hanson (4-32) claimed the scalp of Mark Dunning (34) as Malpas closed on 129 all out.

Results

TACS Partnership Cheshire League

Division A, Saturday: Barnton 138-8 Runcorn 138; Heaton Mersey 166-9 Ashton on Mersey 65; Lindow 188-8 Poynton 69; Lymm 141-9 Hale Barns 178-7; Romiley 209-8 Woodford 102; Stockport 108-7 Ashley 104. This Saturday (1.30pm): Heaton Mersey v Barnton.

Division B: CH Ladybridge 90-9 Wilmslow Wayfarers 89; Chester CO 158-6 dec Langley 107; Kingsley 77-1 Cholmondeley 75; Oakmere 82 Haslington 82; Prestbury 192 Bunbury 72-9; Winnington Park 132-7 Malpas 128. This Saturday (1.30pm) inc: Bunbury v Kingsley; Cholmondeley v Winnington Park; Wilmslow Wayfarers v Oakmere.

Division C: Over Peover 161 Stockport Trinity 49; Port Sunlight 136 Alderley Park 58; Sandbach 130-4 Barrow 127-6 dec; Wilmslow 211-8 dec Aston 66. Abandoned: Winsford v Wirral. This Saturday (1.30pm) inc: Chelford v Winsford.