BOWLERS were again the outstanding performers for teams across mid Cheshire in league action last weekend.

Here’s a round-up of the best displays:

Ben Gough (Davenham) (6-40 off 11.5 overs)

The pace-man’s best bowling figures for more than three years – since a five-wicket haul against Cheadle Hulme in April 2015 – helped his side to an impressive 97-run win against Oxton.

The visitors to Butcher’s Stile, victors in each of their previous four Cheshire County League matches, were routed for 74 thank to his efforts.

Ryan Blackie, with 4-15, provided support as Danny Hancock’s men recorded only their second win of the campaign in Division One.

​Mike Sambell (Davenham (five catches)

Took five catches behind the stumps for Davenham during a dismantling of Oxton’s batting, three of them off Gough’s bowling.

That increases to 14 his haul during the current campaign for the men from Butcher’s Stile after holding onto three chances – at Hyde and away to Urmston – in previous games.

James Gittings (Northwich) (5-50 of 15 overs)

Has started to take more of the bowling load in the past couple of seasons, and increased his haul for the current campaign to 17 with five wickets against Lindow.

Only Andrew Dufty, with 20, has more.

However there was some frustration for Northwich that his endeavour, which helped restrict their hosts to 137-8 as they chased 195, was not rewarded with a victory.

Instead his side were defied by Charlie Williams (52no), who steered the home team to their target with three balls to spare.

Hayden Lanza (Kingsley) (5-33 off 11 overs)

Became the first bowler from Kingsley to claim a five-wicket haul in the Cheshire League’s top-flight during the Crofters’ five-wicket win at Lymm.

That included four is as many overs as the hosts crumbled to 62 all out.

“Dos went through the top-order like a sharp knife going through butter that had been left out of the fridge,” wrote teammate Ben Stoddart, who took 3-11, in his report.

Kingsley cruised to victory in the Cheshire League Division One encounter after reaching 65-5 inside 15 overs.

Kieran Boyle (Middlewich seconds) (5-40 off 14 overs)

Was the outstanding individual performer for Middlewich seconds in a three-wicket defeat at home to their Woodford counterparts in the Cheshire League last Sunday.

After contributing 30 to their total, he kept alive their hopes of bowling out the visitors to Haddon Field after returning figures of 5-40 off 14 overs – including three maidens.

He has a dozen wickets to his name in 2018 after bowling in five of the six games in which he has featured.

Simon Barnes (Winnington Park seconds) (7-31 off 9.5 overs)

Returned career-best figures for Winnington’s seconds as they celebrated a seven-wicket win against their opponents from Glazebury at the Rec.

A stunning performance with the ball, which saw him take 7-31 as the visitors closed on 202-8, was followed by an impressive one with the bat during the hosts’ reply.

He narrowly missed out on a half-century after being dismissed for 49 following a stand with captain Alex Unwin (85no), who steered Park to victory at 203-3 in a Cheshire League Division C North fixture.