CHAMINDU Ishanka starred with both bat and ball as Northwich eased to an 87-run victory at home to relegated Irby in Division Two on Saturday.

He contributed an unbeaten century as the hosts ran up 225-4 before declaring, boosted by support from Sam Shepherd (57no) that increased their final total.

The same two players then combined to knock over the visitors for 138, the Sri Lankan taking 4-21 and his teammate 3-23 after Dave Gulliver (61) had scored a half-century at the top of the order.

A win in their remaining match, at promoted Warrington, will make certain a top-six finish.

In Division One, Oulton Park’s 56-run defeat at Timperley put paid to their hopes of returning to the Premier Division.

Andy Hards returned figures of 6-66 from a 25-over spell to restrict the hosts to 167 all out, but the Little Budworth outfit’s batsmen - usually so prolific - succumbed for 111.

Skipper Pat Roberts (48) manoeuvred his side into a winning position at 104-6, only for his dismissal to precipitate a collapse.

Weaverham inflicted a third defeat of the season on title-chasing Sale.

The Russets reached 169 after being put in, with captain Ian Eaton (67no) and James Lewis (44) their leading scorers.

However Sale fell 36 runs short in their reply, Kevin Waterhouse – who also pulled off a stunning direct-hit run-out from the boundary rope – claiming 3-30 while Rob McMillan helped himself to 3-40.

Davenham, their position in the second tier secure for another season, lost by six wickets at promotion hopefuls Urmston after they were skittled for 86.

Relegated Middlewich suffered another defeat, this time by eight wickets, at Oxton.

Leandro Du Toit (38) was one of only three batsmen to reach double figures as the men from Haddon Field mustered just 97.

Sri Lankan pace-man Gayan Fernando, with 7-37, increased his wicket-tally for the campaign to 60 before his side cruised to victory in the 27th over.

Results

Vivio Cheshire County League

Division One, Saturday: Christleton 188 Cheadle Hulme 109; Didsbury 214-8 Tattenhall 175-9; Oxton 104-2 Middlewich 97; Timperley 167 Oulton Park 111; Urmston 88-4 Davenham 86; Weaverham 169 Sale 133. 

Division Two: Bredbury 167-8 Alvanley 163; Brooklands 110-9 Bollington 206; Congleton 126-6 Stockport 125; Mobberley 91 Warrington 222-7; Northwich 225-4 dec Irby 138; Widnes 168-5 Upton 165-9.