DAVENHAM could not halt Oulton Park’s charge for promotion on Saturday, leaving them to continue hovering above the drop zone.

The men from Butcher’s Stile were knocked over for 142 at Little Budworth after losing the toss, a half-century from Dave Ashley (56) improving an innings in which only three other batsmen reached double figures.

Andrew Hards (3-33) and Matt Parkinson (3-35) were the pick of the home team’s attack.

And third-placed Oulton strolled to a seven-wicket victory after tea, led by Martyn East (45) and Nick James (33) at the top of the order.

Iroshan de Silva (29no) and Tom Hyslop (26no) finished the job in the 29th over.

Davenham, beaten in three of their past four Division One matches following a sequence of four successive wins, are 30 points clear of second-bottom Christleton who they host this weekend.

Weaverham amassed the day’s biggest tally in the county league before declaring at 297-6 against back-markers Middlewich at Wallerscote Road.

Captain Ian Eaton (80) shared in a second-wicket partnership worth 72 runs with opener Mike Dean (56) before adding 58 with Wilden Cornwall (33 off 31 balls) and a further 98 with James Lewis (79).

For the visitors, Stephen Bliss toiled manfully to claim 4-105.

Middlewich, victors only twice this season, were dismissed for 185 after tea.

Nick Gill (54) put on 64 runs with Kieran Boyle (38) for the fourth wicket but Cornwall (3-61), Stef Bell (2-22) and Dean (2-4) combined to secure a 132-run win for the Russets.

Northwich ended a four-match sequence without a victory by beating visitors Congleton in Division Two.

Sri Lankan Chamindu Ishanka was the hosts’ star turn, his off-spin earning 3-64 as they away team posted 198-7 after winning the toss.

Sam Shepherd (2-50) provided support, while Tom Leese (65no) carried his bat.

Ishanka (98) then shared in a century partnership with captain Mark Walker (51no) to help the hosts recover from the loss of early wickets in their reply.

The latter steered his side to victory with 10 balls nine balls left.

The men from Moss Farm occupy seventh place in the table, though a victory at Bredbury this weekend could propel them into the top six.

Results

Vivio Cheshire County League 
Division One, Saturday:
Didsbury 95-0 Christleton 93; Oulton Park 145-3 Davenham 142; Sale 202-7 Tattenhall 200-7; Timperley 257-8 Oxton 175-8; Urmston 153-1 Cheadle Hulme 149-6; Weaverham 297-6 dec Middlewich 165.

Division Two: Bollington 140-1 Irby 138-6; Brooklands 63 Alvanley 188; Mobberley 155 Bredbury 115; Northwich 199-6 Congleton 198-7; Warrington 168-8 Upton 211; Widnes 169-9 Stockport 170-4.