OAKMERE’S batsmen made the most of a job well done by their bowlers when they recorded only a second top-flight win of the campaign.

A decision to field after winning the toss by skipper Daniel Faulkner proved to be the right one after hosts Port Sunlight were restricted to 114-8 off 45 overs.

Joe Roddis (4-25) and Matthew Doggart (3-29) were the most productive of the visitors’ bowlers while a miserly Matthew Howard conceded only 23 runs off 14 overs.

The men from Overdale Lane reached their target in the 35th over after recovering from a slow start that saw opener David Norton and Ciaran McDonnell both dismissed for ducks.

Parv Panesar (59 off 65 balls) and Matthew De Villiers (17) added 64 runs for the third wicket to steady the innings before James Hodkinson (16no) and David Purcell (13no) saw Oakmere over the finish-line.

Brayden Tracey’s unbeaten century was a highlight for Barnton when they posted 187-6 at Runcorn.

The Australian contributed 106, helping to rebuild an innings with captain James Hodgkinson (37no) that was in the balance when they came together.

A spell of rain shortened the hosts’ reply and they closed on 141-7.

Tracey took 4-44 to complete a fine afternoon’s work, supported by Paul Coot (3-29).

Winnington Park had the better of a draw with Appleton in Division Two and banked 16 points as a reward.

A spell of unrelenting drizzle saw a contest at the Rec reduced to 30 overs per side and the hosts ran up 188-5 off 25 overs before declaring.

Sam Barnes (96 off 76 balls) and Jonny Wales (54 off 51 balls) both scored freely during a second-wicket stand worth 139 runs after captain Alec Butcher departed early.

Martin Evans (26 off 21 balls) supported Barnes before the youngster was caught in the deep after striking 11 fours and two maximums.

Appleton were quickly reduced to 16-2 after Joe Stimpson (1-27) and Hassan Irfan (1-48) made initial inroads but overseas signing Matthias Partridge (59) resisted.

However wickets fell regularly at the other end, Wales taking 3-27 and Michael Dunning helping himself to 2-13 off eight overs before a stoppage for rain.

The visitors closed on 134-8 despite the best effort or Peter Room (1-4) to remove the tail after the restart.

Results

UKFast Cheshire League

Week Nine

Saturday, June 15

Division One: Cheadle Hulme 108 North East Cheshire 106-8; Port Sunlight 114-8 Oakmere 115-5; Runcorn 141-7 Barnton 187-6; Stockport Trinity 58 Haslington 62-1.

Abandoned: Lymm v Ashton on Mersey; Weaverham v Kingsley.

Division Two: Stretton 114 Irby 105-5; Winnington Park 188-5 dec Appleton 134-8; Woodford 196-8 Bredbury St Mark’s 161-5.

Abandoned: Maritime v Heaton Mersey; Middlewich v Wilmslow.

Cancelled: Ashley v Hawk Green; Prestbury v Langley.

Division Four: Bowdon Vale 30-1 Winsford 29.

Cancelled: Kerridge v Malpas; Mossley v Glazebury; Styal v Trafford MV; Tranmere Victoria v Wistaston Village; Westminster Park v Saughall.