WEAVERHAM’S relegation from the second tier was confirmed on Saturday following a narrow two-wicket defeat at home to promotion-chasing Widnes.

The Russets have lost 12 of their past 13 matches in Division One, from which they drop down after three seasons.

They posted their highest total of the campaign last weekend, putting 207-8 on the board at Wallerscote Road after winning the toss.

Kevin Douglas (37) led the way, while James Bell also contributed 35.

The visitors were made to toil, and were grateful to Alex Hewitt (89) after scraping home at 208-8.

Teenager George McCormick (3-47) continues to impress, and passed 30 wickets for 2017 with his latest haul.

Oulton Park looked like champions-elect when they disposed of Macclesfield by 41 runs in a low-scoring encounter at Little Budworth to establish a 35-point lead.

Their guests, unbeaten since the teams’ previous meeting on June 10, were favourites to take maximum points when they bowled out the leaders for 130.

Craig Melrose took 4-62, while Mark Latham top-scored with 32.

However Pat Roberts’ men hit back, and smart catches from Craig Douglas, Matt Jamieson and Muhammad Kashif – who also returned figures of 5-19 – saw Macc knocked over for 89.

The off-spinner has 54 wickets to his name this season, while Martyn East (4-23) provided support.

Davenham’s hopes of playing in the Premier Division next season were hit after they were trounced by 10 wickets at Upton.

They were run over for 43 in 29 overs, and had no answer to the accuracy of Liam Sundve (6-21) and Chris McArthur (3-21).

The hosts needed only 11 overs to settle the outcome, led by McArthur (31no).

Dan Hancock’s men have now lost three of their past four matches, leaving them 26 points adrift of a promotion place.

Improving Northwich edged out hosts Lindow in Division Two, and have prevailed in four of their past half-dozen fixtures.

The home team scored 141 batting first, during which a seventh-wicket stand worth 61 runs between Alex Matthews (36) and Charlie Williams (30) took them to respectability from 59-6.

Stand-in skipper James Plant (5-31), Andrew Dufty (3-41) and Jordan McDonough (2-19) shared the wickets to fall.

The visitors scraped home at 145-9 after Matthew Dufty (47) and Plant (39) put on 57 for the sixth wicket, while Tim Young claimed 4-31.

Results

Vivio Cheshire County League

Week 19

Division One: Bollington 189-9 Warrington 91; Oulton Park 130 Macclesfield 89; Oxton 170 Sale 171-7; Upton 44-0 Davenham 43; Urmston 209-5 Marple 210-3; Weaverham 207-8 Widnes 208-8

Division Two: Barrow 126-9 Cheadle Hulme 129-4; Bredbury St Mark’s 122 Alvanley 135; Brooklands 133-6 Mobberley 131; Christleton 105 Stockport 107-1; Lindow 141 Northwich 145-9; Tattenhall 135 Romiley 63