OAKMERE can plan a promotion party early after a 75-run victory against their closest-rivals guaranteed they will return to the Cheshire League’s top-flight next season.

They were relegated from Division One in 2014.

A journey back there is complete with four games to spare after their latest win – a 15th in 18 attempts – put them beyond the reach of third-placed Ashley.

They scored 194-8 at Overdale Lane, where Ciaran McDonnell (53) and captain Craig Phelan (68) added 93 runs for the fifth wicket after coming together at 59-4.

In-form Matt Norton’s third five-fer during 2018 followed as they demolished Stockport Trinity for 119.

He now passes 40 wickets for the season.

Matthew Howard (2-36) and Joe Roddis (2-28) provided support.

They can thank a stubborn Middlewich batting display for denying Ashley a victory at Railway Field.

The visitors reached 121-9 off 45 overs to collect precious points in their bid to beat the drop, extending an unbeaten run to four matches in the process.

Luke Houghton (51) and Stephen Parry (29) restored calm after their side had slumped to 14-4.

Ashley had set a target of 193 for victory thanks to a half-century from Peter Martinich (75no), while skipper Phil Parry (2-53), Gavin Twigg (2-47) and Stephen Parry (2-59) claimed a brace of wickets each.

Winnington Park were similarly durable in a draw at Wilmslow, where they closed on 121-6 with Kendol Richardson unbeaten on 54.

The home team had slayed Park’s bowling attack with Elliot Rowe (101no) and Toby Rowe (102) plundering 193 runs while together at the crease.

The innings ended on 235-3.

Barnton still have work to do if they are to maintain their Division One status following a six-wicket defeat at home to Ashton on Mersey.

Aidan Malley (18) and Paul Coot (53) put on 82 for the first wicket at Broomsedge before Sam Connop (38no) ran out of support from fragile batting line-up that mustered 145-9.

They had no response to the spin of Edward Faulkner, who took 7-37.

Simon Hancock’s men needed an early breakthrough but one didn’t arrive until Pat Flanagan (3-37) saw off Alex O’Gara (40) with the score on 72.

Mike Roberts (67) and Tom Scott (25) added a further 61 before Ashton reached their target.

Kingsley lost by five wickets at promotion-hopefuls Congleton, who bowled them out for 99 after winning the toss.

Hayden Lanza (2-37) and Craig Lynch (2-10) both enjoyed success later but they had too small a total to defend and the home team eased to 100-5.

Winsford halted a sequence of five successive defeats in Division Four when their batsmen frustrated promotion-chasing Knutsford at Mereheath Lane.

The visitors closed on 106-9, with Rafay Siddique (34) and Colin Dean (26) both protecting their wicket for long spells.

Their opponents had scored 214-8 after winning the toss, Dave Etchells (4-51) claiming the wicket of leading-scorer Sajjad Ali (86).

Results

UKFast Cheshire League

Week 18

Saturday, August 18

Division One: Barnton 145-9 Ashton on Mersey 149-4; Bredbury St Mark’s 86 Haslington 286-8; Congleton 100-5 Kingsley 99; Lymm 178 Prestbury 173; Port Sunlight 76-3 Disley 74; Stockport Georgians 177 Cheadle Hulme 104

Division Two: Ashley 192-6 Middlewich 121-9; Chelford 184 Poynton 184-9; Irby 140-7 Woodford 139; Maritime 110 Stretton 111-5; Oakmere 194-8 Stockport Trinity 119; Wilmslow 235-5 Winnington Park 121-6

Division Four: Frodsham 104-1 Westminster Park 101; Glazebury 190-8 Styal 134; Knutsford 214-8 Winsford 106-9; Over Peover 236-7 Audlem 124-9; Trafford MV 233-5 dec Bowdon Vale 154-7; Tranmere Victoria 98-4 Wistaston Village 97