WEAVERHAM closed to within three points of Division One leaders Sale following a crushing 151-run success at Middlewich on Saturday.

The Russets ran up a huge 310-6 after being put in, with Kevin Waterhouse (96), Wilden Cornwall (87) and stand-in skipper James Lewis (77 off 47 balls) passing a half-century.

South African import Lendro Du Toit (4-92) was the only bowler to make an impression.

Middlewich were all out for 159 after tea, skipper Nick Gill (44) and tail-ender Stuart Price (39) their leading scorers.

Waterhouse (4-30) and Cornwall (3-29), as they had been earlier, were again Weaverham’s decisive players.

Struggling Davenham suffered a four-wicket defeat at home to Oulton Park in the same section.

Left-arm seamer Guy Emmett proved their nemesis, taking 6-28 from 25 overs, as the home team were dismissed for just 81 in the 50th over.

James Loveridge (23), at the top of the order, was one of only three batsmen to score more than 10 at Butcher’s Stile as Iroshan de Silva (4-18) claimed the other wickets to fall.

Oulton ambled to their target by the 32nd over, Daniel Leech (28) leading the way while spinner Daniel Hancock (4-18) impressed in the home team’s attack.

It leaves Davenham bottom of the pile following four defeats in their opening six matches.

In Division Two, improving Northwich rise to sixth in the standings after recording a victory for the second successive Saturday.

They batted first at Congleton after winning the toss, totalling 221 with youngster Sam Stoneley (61), Chamindu Ishanka (44) and Ashley Sefton (39) making the biggest individual contributions.

Dave Moors took 5-38 for the hosts.

He was leading scorer in their reply, remaining unbeaten on 52 when their innings ended early on 133.

Sam Shepherd (5-46) did the damage along with Ishanka (5-89), who has taken 17 wickets in three league matches since arriving at Moss Farm from Sri Lanka.