A YEAR since their previous one, Weaverham savoured a success in the Cheshire County League when they beat Hale Barns by eight wickets on Saturday.

The Russets celebrated after bowling out their guest for 197, led by James Ollier (4-62) with support from Kevin Douglas and Stuart Hayes (both 2-45).

It was an afternoon to remember too for debutant Jonny Littler, who recovered from a first-ball duck at the crease to return figures of 2-21.

Weaverham had posted 205-5 after winning the toss, showing character after slipping to 9-3 when Salman Hanif (50) and Ian Eaton (97no) added 95 runs for the fourth wicket.

A further 89 followed with the latter in tandem with Ryan Simm (41no off 35 balls).

Northwich lost narrowly, by 13 runs, at Warrington in the same section.

However there were encouraging signs from teenager Tharusha Fernando, their overseas signing from Sri Lanka, who took three wickets and contributed a half-century.

The hosts put 200-9 on the board after being put in and Jordan McDonough (3-33) picked up where he had left off last week, claiming the scalp of top-scorer Brad McIntosh (88).

Northwich struggled to support Fernando (65 off 62 balls) though, succumbing for 187 after Ashley Scholes and Jonathan Fletcher claimed three wickets each.

Davenham registered a first victory of 2018 in Division One when they saw off promoted Barrow by seven wickets at Butcher’s Stile.

Captain Dan Hancock (4-17) and Stephen Bliss (4-41) did the damage as the away side were knocked over for 167.

It was then left to Sam Hunt (61no off 46 balls) and Adam Garrod (29no) to steer the hosts to their target during an unbeaten partnership for the fourth wicket worth 77.

Sam Robbins (36) and Aussie Hugh Walker (30) chipped in too as they closed on 169-3.

Oulton Park had reason for cheer too after they toppled Premier Division leaders Toft.

Their bowlers helped record an 18-run victory after dismissing the Knutsford outfit for 182 at Booth’s Park, where Matt Parkinson (4-45) and Muhammad Kashif (3-51) showed the way.

There were two run-outs too.

The men from Little Budworth were dismissed for 199 after being put in, the highlight a stand of 62 for the third wicket between opener Martyn East (82) – who was one of in-form Toft captain Jimmy Lomas’ six victims – and Tom Hyslop (43).

It sends Patrick Roberts’ side up to fourth.