Oulton Park can be optimistic despite another defeat

Oulton Park’s batsmen rediscovered their best form during a high-scoring encounter with Cheadle in the Cheshire County League’s Premier Division.

However the Little Budworth outfit still suffered a third successive defeat despite putting 300 runs on the board.

It marks the first time since August 2011, coincidentally their most recent campaign in the top-flight before this one, that they have that many in a row.

However the fact that Danny Leech and Muhammad Shahbaz both passed 50, and Tom Hyslop fell narrowly short, is reason to travel to second-placed Nantwich next weekend with confidence boosted.

Northwich can set sights on table’s top-half

Northwich returned to winning ways at Hale Barns thanks to spinners Andrew Dufty (5-36) and Tharusha Fernando (3-39) humbling the home team for 134.

The visitors’ reply was not without stutters, but they made it to their target to record a three-wicket win.

James Plant’s men sit seventh in the Cheshire County League’s third tier, six points adrift of Christleton ahead of them.

The two teams are due to meet at Moss Farm on Saturday, when a victory for the hosts would propel them into the table’s top-half.

That would represent an encouraging first-half to the campaign for a young side under a new captain.

Weaverham demonstrate new-found resilience

Weaverham needed to bat for 62 overs to deny promotion-chasing Brooklands a victory, and extended their own unbeaten run in the league to three matches.

A victory away to Warrington last time out appears to have strengthened the Russets’ resolve, and they put behind them a testing afternoon in the field – Brooklands amassed 292-3 off 38 overs – to post their highest total of the season.

Ryan Simm’s maiden ton for the first-team was a highlight, but tail-ender Stef Bell (22no) deserves credit too for resisting pressure from the visitors’ attack during the innings’ closing stages.

Kingsley given salutary lesson

Kingsley suffered the same fate most teams have when they’ve faced Stockport Georgians in the Cheshire League’s highest tier this season – a heavy defeat.

It ended a five-match winning run in all competitions for Toby Mullins’ side, who were given reminder as to the standards set at the top end of the Division One table.

A 139-run reverse doesn’t undo the solid work they have done to occupy a place inside the top six during a debut season at that level.

Hayden Lanza took 2-73 to increase his wickets-haul for the 2018 campaign to 24.

The Australian’s consistency is impressive; he has struck at least once in each of the first team’s past eight games.

In praise of Slade Mitrovich

Oakmere continue to blaze a trail towards promotion after a 127-run thrashing of neighbours Winnington Park at the Rec.

South African Slade Mitrovich was again in scintillating form, contributing an unbeaten 114, including 11 fours and four maximums, to the visitors’ total of 251-6.

It takes him past 600 runs for the season in all competitions, and he also has more to his name than any rival in the Cheshire League’s second division.

Annoyingly for Park, both of his centuries have been scored against them.

A ninth win in 10 matches leaves Craig Phelan’s men top of the table and with a 29-point lead over Stockport Trinity – their closest rivals.

Winsford’s bowlers kick-start their campaign again

Winsford can consider themselves among the contenders for promotion from the Cheshire League’s fourth division following an eight-wicket demolition of Bowdon Vale.

Captain Mike Dean and James Tierney both claimed four wickets as they visitors to Knights Grange were knocked over for 67 last weekend.

The hosts reached their target in a hurry, needing less than a dozen overs, to record a fifth win of 2018.

They sit fifth in the table, with a promotion position only 23 points away.

A trip to leaders Audlem on Saturday, opponents who are unbeaten at home, will be a test of their credentials.