MARK Walker says Northwich can put their disappointing start to the season behind them after extending an unbeaten league run in Saturday’s draw at Alvanley.

It leaves them sixth in Division Two ahead of a visit from Stockport this weekend.

“We can be optimistic,” he told the Guardian.

“More so because our batting has improved; I’ll always back us to bowl sides out, but we’ve been better at the crease.”

Three players – Glinoj Cherian (67no off 68 balls), Sam Stoneley and Walker himself (both 55) – reached a half-century as Northwich totalled 226-8 after being asked to score 257 to win.

In Division One, Weaverham lost a third game in their past four attempts at Tattenhall.

They were knocked over for 126, a total buoyed by James Lewis (49 off 53 balls) at the tail end of the innings as Dave Shewring took 4-42.

Tatters responded with 128-6, Craig Williamson (48no) acting as anchor after Kevin Douglas (3-36) threatened to tip the contest the visitors’ way.

Oulton Park were one of four clubs at the top of the table to record a victory, this time by 59 runs at home to Urmston.

Martyn East (47) helped himself to 21 runs in the contest’s opening over before sharing in a first-wicket partnership worth 74 with Daniel Leech (38).

Captain Pat Roberts (50) and Andy Mills’ run-a-ball 43 boosted their total to 226-6.

The visitors to Little Budworth mustered 167 after tea, Guy Emmett (5-37) and Andy Hards (3-68) doing the damage while Tom Hyslop held on to three catches in the field.

Davenham slumped to a sixth defeat in eight matches, this time at home to leaders Sale.

Captain Mark Greaves (69) scored a half-century at the top of the order in the hosts’ 172-9, before Tim Niemand (25) and Ben Gough (23) contributed.

Tyrone Lawrence took 5-44 for Sale, who made it to their victory target with one over – and only two wickets – to spare.

Sam Hunt (3-21) claimed the wicket of danger man Lawrence (66).

Middlewich prop up their rivals at the bottom of the table following a 10-wicket thrashing by Didsbury at Haddon Field.

A second-wicket partnership between Jamie Williams (52) and James Cornford (24) had given the home team hope of making a big total, but nobody else contributed with the bat as they succumbed for 122.

Simon Normanton (4-37) enjoyed support from captain Nick Anderson (3-23) in Didsbury’s attack.

The latter then blitzed an unbeaten 96, including 14 boundaries and three sixes, as the visitors raced to their target in 21 overs.