NEITHER Barnton nor Middlewich could be satisfied on Saturday after heavy rain prevented a positive result in their crunch clash.

The men from Haddon Field posted 131-6 off 45 overs after they were put in, with Andrew Leese (2-18) and Neil Langham (2-26) enjoying early success for the visitors.

Pat Flanagan (1-35) turned the ball sharply, but the hosts’ decision to attack late on was rewarded with in-form Luke Houghton (40no) again among the runs.

Barnton’s reply was unconvincing as they lost three quick wickets before Paul Coot and Flanagan (25no) took them to 72-5.

A nine-point haul is enough to propel Middlewich off the bottom of the Division One table, swapping places with Irby following their loss at Lymm.

Kingsley quickly put behind them the disappointment of a first league defeat seven days earlier when they humbled Heaton Mersey.

The Division Two leaders sent back their hosts for 91 after winning the toss, Hayden Lanza (5-31) proving too much for the top-order.

Travis Martin (2-45) bowled danger-man Hassan Rashid (40), and Adrian Burden took 2-12, while stand-in wicket-keeper Julian Holmes held on to three catches.

Ben Stoddart (44) and Haris Yassin (37no off 23 balls) steered the title-favourites to a comfortable win at 93-2.

“It was a professional performance to bounce back in the way that we did,” said skipper Toby Mullins afterwards.

“There’s no reason why we can’t now use that as the start of another winning run.”

Oakmere recorded a sixth successive victory in the same section, rising to fifth place in the table as a reward.

Their bowling attack depleted by absences, they still restricted back-markers Bunbury to 164 all out thanks to captain Craig Phelan (5-63).

He enjoyed support form Mike Cushion (3-37) and James Norton (2-37).

An eager Adrian Stubbs (91) was in no mood to wait around, although it was not until Pete Hutchinson (22) and Lewis Newall (14no) came together that they completed the job at 165-7.

Winnington Park went down by seven wickets at the Rec against promotion-chasing Woodford, who bowled out their hosts for 138.

Winsford’s woes at the crease continued when they fell to a 91-run reverse at home to Audlem in Division Four.

Sid Mothe (7-40) was their star turn at Knights Grange, helping restrict the away side to 156 all out.

Ben Crellin weighed in with 2-55.

However a familiar failing ended their chances of a victory when they succumbed for 65 after tea.

Callum McIlveen (8-32) was a tormentor-in-chief, while Mike Dickenson (21) offered most resistance.

Improving Hartford extended a winning sequence in Division Five to three matches after bowling out Heaton Mersey Village.

Defending a small total, they skittled their hosts for just 78 to earn an unlikely 33-run victory.

Results

UKFast Cheshire League

Week 14

Saturday, July 22

Division One: Disley 123-8 Congleton 122-8; Hale Barns 71-2 Port Sunlight 67; Lymm 147-8 Irby 144; Middlewich 131-6 Barnton 72-5; Stockport Georgians 96 Ashton on Mersey 61. Abandoned: Haslington v Runcorn

Division Two: Ashley 161-9 Chelford 162-9; Bunbury 164 Oakmere 165-7; Heaton Mersey 91 Kingsley 93-2; Poynton 239-7 Stockport Trinity 173; Prestbury 208-6 Wilmslow 180; Winnington Park 138 Woodford 139-3

Division Four: Holmes Chapel 195-5 Trafford MV 60-6; Knutsford 113 Westminster Park 113; Pott Shrigley 63 Glazebury 64-7; Winsford 65 Audlem 156

Division Five: Heaton Mersey Village 78 Hartford 111; Kerridge 287-5 Mellor 66-7; Mossley 103-9 Bowdon Vale 187-7; Saughall 93 Frodsham 94-2; Styal 72-7 Rostherne 71