NORTHWICH ran out of time to complete a run chase in a draw at Upton in Division Two on Saturday.

Set a target of 110 to win a contest disrupted by rain, their innings closed on 107-5 after James Plant (41) had steered them agonisingly close.

As a result, their wait to win a county league fixture extends to four matches.

Earlier, they sent back the hosts for 109 thanks to a combined effort between Sri Lankan Chamindu Ishanka (6-21) and captain Mark Walker (4-36).

The Moss Farm outfit sit safely in mid-table in seventh place.

Davenham collected precious points in a quest to avoid relegation from Division One, beating Didsbury by four wickets at Butchers Stile.

The visitors totalled 202-8 after deciding to bat first, with opener Nick Anderson (78) leading the way before he was dismissed by Tim Niemand (3-61).

Daniel Hancock (3-37) and Dean Jackson (2-50) contributed too, the latter seeing off Tim Hughes (43) before he reached a half-century.

Captain Mark Greaves (86) starred in the hosts’ reply, supported by Sam Hunt (24) before Callum Begg (22no) completed the job at 203-6.

A sixth league win of the season, five of those picked up in the past seven matches, leaves them 25 points clear of second-bottom Christleton.

Oulton Park missed a chance to close the gap to second spot when they lost a spectacular encounter at Tattenhall.

The visitors racked up 245-3 before declaring after 43 overs, openers Nick James (91) and Martyn East (90) putting on 187 for the first wicket.

Tatters made it to their target in the 56th over of their reply, with two balls to spare, thanks to half-centuries from Dan Power (73no), Ollie Thompson (58) and teenager Henry Dobson (50).

Ben Tomlinson took 4-54 for the visitors.

Weaverham’s trip to Oxton was aborted because of the weather.

Middlewich remain bottom of the pile after losing by five wickets at home to Urmston.

They posted 207-7, with Leandro Du Toit (68), James Cornford (45), Kieran Boyle (38) and skipper Nick Gill (33) contributing while Calum Turner claimed a five-wicket haul.

The visitors to Haddon Field replied with 211-5, Callum Parkinson (62) and Chris Turner (48no) sharing in a 63-run stand for the third wicket.

Stephen Bliss took 2-53.

Results

Vivio County League 
Division One, Saturday: Cheadle Hulme Abn Sale; Christleton 213 Timperley 170; Davenham 203-6 Didsbury 202-8; Middlewich 207-7 Urmston 211-5; Oxton Abn Weaverham; Tattenhall 246-8 Oulton Park 245-3 dec.

Division Two: Alvanley 185 Widnes 182; Bredbury 167-6 Brooklands 166-2; Congleton 233-7 dec Mobberley 145; Irby 163-7 Warrington 136-9; Stockport 126 Bollington 127-6; Upton 109 Northwich 107-6.