ED Leneghan struck the winning runs for Kingsley off the penultimate ball of a thriller in Division Two at Barnton.

He was left unbeaten on 51, although the key to the visitors’ successful chase had been the wicket-keeper’s 92-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Danny Mullins (43).

Set a target of 160, they appeared in trouble at 61-5 after pace-man Cory Devanny (4-39) had swung the ball early on.

“Danny and Ed’s batting made the difference for us,” said stand-in skipper Ben Stoddart afterwards.

He had asked Barnton to bat on a track still damp in parts because of overnight rain, although opener Paul Coot (28) adapted quickly.

Adam Garrod (34) and Rick Farnworth (42) added 63 runs for the third wicket, only for four wickets – shared by Chris Martin (3-38) and Stoddart (2-20) – to then fall in a six-over spell.

Neil Langham (24no) and Jack Whalley increased the total to a below-par 159-8.

A seventh defeat of the season did not prove costly for Winnington Park, who stay in second spot after their rivals failed to take advantage.

Hosts Chester County Officers totalled 195-8 after being put in, Sam Barnes (3-54) looking the most dangerous of the bowlers while Tom Speak (2-29) and James Hendry (2-57) both added wickets.

Captain Alec Butcher (19) got his side off to a swift start, but after opening partner Greg McKeown (26) was dismissed they slumped quickly to 67-5.

They toiled to recover, collapsing to 113 all out.

“Chester played well and deserved to win,” said Butcher afterwards.

“We were not at our best with the bat, and will need to improve if we’re to beat Barnton.”

Oakmere are sixth in the table following a four-wicket success at Ashley.

The hosts posted 157-9 after winning the toss, with Dan Wood (4-48) and Harrison Jones (2-33) the pick of the attack.

Rick Lyons (41no) and Craig Phelan (38no) were unbeaten at the crease in a seventh-wicket partnership worth 52 runs as the men from Overdale Lane squeezed home with two balls to spare.

Back-markers Winsford registered only a second win of the season in Division Three, beating fellow strugglers Cholmondeley by six wickets.

Results

TACS Partnership Cheshire League
Division Two, Saturday:
Ashley 157-9 Oakmere 158-6; Barnton 159-8 dec Kingsley 161-6; Bunbury 180-7 dec Lymm O’ton Park 181-0; Chester CO 195-8 dec Winnington Park 113; Stockport Trinity 139 Chelford 142-9; Woodford 195-9 Haslington 206-5 dec. 

Division Three: Alderley Park 104 CH Ladybridge 108; Aston 144-7 dec Wirral 145-6; Cholmondeley 90 Winsford 91-4; Over Peover 134-7 Wilmslow 169-8 dec; Port Sunlight 202-7 dec Sandbach 123; Wilmslow Wayfarers 172-8 Langley 186-7 dec.