A DEFEAT for Davenham at Macclesfield on Saturday turned into an opportunity for Oulton Park to add to their lead at the Division One summit.

They took it; a 10th league victory of the campaign, by seven wickets after routing Oxton, leaves them 43 points clear at the table’s summit.

The visitors were skittled for 61, an innings that included six batsmen failing to score a single run, thanks to a combined bowling effort by Matt Parkinson (4-24), Andrew Hards (3-20) and Muhammad Kashif (3-12).

Oulton Park then cruised to 66-3 in 15 overs, with Danny Leech (21), Mark Latham (16) and returning captain Pat Roberts (16no) playing a part.

Davenham stay second in the standings despite suffering a disappointing seven-wicket reverse at Macclesfield, where they were dismissed for 105 after losing the toss.

Only Mike Sambell (27) and Sam Hunt (31) offered any resistance, with usually-reliable overseas signing Peter Gallichan one of Craig Melrose’s four victims.

Chris Moores led the way though with 6-29.

The hosts climb to fifth place after replying with 106-3, openers John Birchall (37) and Rob Porter (34) putting on 63 for the first wicket.

Weaverham again suffered a defeat, this time by a 116-run margin at Upton.

The Russets could muster only 93 in their innings, during which wicket-keeper Alex Nash (36) was one of only three batsmen to post a double-digit score.

Liam Sundve (5-31) did the damage.

That was in reply to the Wirral outfit’s 209-8 after they had been put in.

Matt Owen (51) and Chris McArthur (60) both scored a half-century during a second-wicket partnership worth 100, while Neil Cross (43no) ran out of overs to match them.

Rob McMillan (5-56) returned a first five-fer of the summer, while Kevin Douglas (2-32) weighed in too.

Elsewhere Sale had the better of a draw with fellow-strugglers Warrington, leaving Weaverham 61 points adrift of a position of safety with eight games left.

Northwich ended a month-long wait to record a win in Division Two when they despatched Cheadle Hulme by 147 runs.

The men from Moss Farm ran up 219-9 batting first, with in-form Chandrika Wathukarage (74) their leading scorer.

The Sri Lankan put on 67 runs for the fourth wicket with captain Mark Walker (28) before Matthew Dufty (50 off 41 balls) raced to a half-century.

Cheadle Hulme were then knocked over for 72, pace men James Gittings (5-41) and James Plant (3-20) ripping through the order before Mohammad Ajmal mopped up the tail by taking two wickets in five deliveries.

Results

Vivio Cheshire County League

Week 14

Saturday, July 22

Division One: Macclesfield 106-3 Davenham 105; Marple 46 Bollington 134; Oulton Park 66-3 Oxton 61; Warrington 113-9 Sale 219-6; Weaverham 93 Upton 209-8; Widnes 161 Urmston 189-7

Division Two: Alvanley 148-7 Brooklands 147; Barrow 91 Christleton 137; Cheadle Hulme 72 Northwich 219-9; Mobberley 134 Stockport 177; Romiley 112 Bredbury St Mark’s 220-8; Tattenhall 67 Lindow 68-5