MUHAMMAD Kashif led a successful attempt by Oulton Park to bowl out Marple as they extended a winning run in the Cheshire County League’s top-flight.

He took 5-42 in 16 overs, supported by seamer Matt Parkinson (3-38), as the home team dismissed their guests for 152 to secure a 71-run victory – their third in succession.

Kashif’s haul included the wicket of Mark Bennett (76), stumped by captain Patrick Roberts, to swing the contest his side’s way.

Oulton Park, promoted to the Premier Division at the end of last season, had put 223-7 on the board after winning the toss.

Martyn East (49) added 59 runs for the second wicket with Muhammad Shahbaz (29) before Roberts (52no) and Ben Gibbon (45) put on 106 for the sixth to breathe new life into an innings that had lost initial momentum at 115-5.

Skipper Dan Hancock’s efforts proved in vain for Davenham when they suffered a slender one-wicket reverse at Upton in Division One.

He claimed 4-16 in nine overs as the visitors defended their 149-9, including leading-scorer Ross Dixon (56), before the home team edged to their target in the game’s penultimate over.

Wicket-keeper Mike Sambell held onto three catches for the visitors.

Adam Garrod (51no off 52 balls) had been the pick of Davenham’s batsmen, while Hugh Walker (32), Sam Robbins (22) and Sambell (20) all made starts.

Dixon started a solid afternoon’s work with 4-47.

Northwich suffered a fourth defeat in five matches when they went down by 84 runs at home to in-form Brooklands.

A fine spell from James Gittings (3-30) had the visitors in trouble at 55-4 before David Cunliffe (36) and Ali Buchan (52) added 79 runs for the fifth wicket.

Richard Slater (47) was among the runs too before Tharusha Fernando (3-48) applied the brakes as the innings closed on 192-9.

The hosts’ early-season struggles at the crease continued though as they succumbed for 108 with captain James Plant (32) the only batsman to settle.

AJ Hart took 4-22 for Brooklands.

Weaverham lost by seven wickets at Christleton, where they recovered from 29-4 thanks to captain Ian Eaton (38) and Jake Lightfoot (39) digging in during a fifth-wicket partnership worth 65 runs.

Ryan Simm (40 off 34 balls) scored swiftly before the Russets fell for 177 in the face of a superb spell from Arslan Darr (8-26).

Christleton secured a comfortable victory in the 35th over after Jack Gittins (55) and Atif Bajwa (73no off 48 balls) both contributed a half-century.

Kev Douglas (2-65) took two of the wickets to fall.

Results

Vivio Cheshire County League

Week Five

Saturday, May 19

ECB Premier Division: Alderley Edge 249-8 Toft 249; Cheadle 147 Grappenhall 148-8; Chester Boughton Hall 196-9 Nantwich 199-6; Didsbury 113 Bramhall 114-2; Oulton Park 223-7 Marple 152; Timperley 155 Neston 143.

Division One: Barrow 59 Hyde 63-1; Macclesfield 202 Stockport 230-8; Oxton 211-6 Bollington 157; Upton 153-9 Davenham 148-9; Urmston 118-2 Sale 116; Widnes 224-7 Bowdon 203-6.

Division Two: Alvanley 221-8 Warrington 129-7; Christleton 181-3 Weaverham 177; Hale Barns 252-6 dec Tattenhall 156; Mobberley 163 Lindow 187-7; Northwich 108 Brooklands 192-9; Runcorn 78 Romiley 80-1.