DAVENHAM’S latest defeat was probably their most agonising as they fell one run short in a victory chase at Barrow.

Last-wicket pair Mike Sambell (26) and Stephen Bliss (10no) had taken the visitors to the brink of victory before the former was bowled by Ryan Holloway.

It leaves Danny Hancock’s men 17 points clear of the Division One drop zone.

They had restricted the back-markers to 171-6, with the captain (2-36) and Bliss (2-26) most successful of the bowling attack.

James Loveridge (39) and Sam Hunt (45), who struck four maximums, contributed with the bat for Davenham.

However their hopes of completing a double over Barrow appeared to have vanished when they found themselves 134-9.

Northwich continued their push for a place in the Division Two table’s top-half when they brushed aside Warrington at Moss Farm.

A fine collective effort in the field, which saw Jordan McDonough (3-22), Tharusha Fernando (3-41) and Andrew Dufty (3-38) take three wickets each, helped dismiss the visitors for 126.

Northwich’s reply had appeared shaky at 55-4 before opener Glinoj Cherian (50) and captain James Plant (34no) added 44 runs together for the fifth wicket.

Weaverham could not follow a victory seven days earlier with another, going down by three wickets at Hale Barns.

Skipper Ian Eaton (65) continued a fine season with another half-century – his fourth of 2018 – as the Russets put 177 on the board.

However their hosts reached 182-7 with plenty to spare after Ben Staniforth (59) led the way.

Zulqarnain Aslam (2-52) and Stuart Hayes (2-41) claimed a brace each, while Kevin Douglas (1-33 off 13 overs) was miserly.

Oulton Park suffered a four-wicket defeat at home to Toft in the Premier Division.

Martyn East (39) and Danny Leech (36) put on 73 for the first wicket for the hosts, who posted 223 all out after being put in.

A seventh-wicket stand worth 90 runs between Ben Gibbon (48) and Mark Latham (32) proved crucial after they wobbled at 120-6.

Lancashire star Rob Jones (89no) led the Knutsford side to victory, sharing in partnerships of 74 and 52 with Ed Stubbs (35) and Andrew Jackson (45no off 24 balls) to see them to 224-6.

Results

Vivio Cheshire County League

Week 15

Saturday, July 28

ECB Premier Division: Alderley Edge 241-4 Grappenhall 240; Bramhall 88 Neston 300-3 dec; Cheadle 197-6 Chester Boughton Hall 198-4 Didsbury 100-6 Marple 94; Nantwich 298-6 dec Timperley 184-6; Oulton Park 223 Toft 224-6

Division One: Barrow 171-6 Davenham 170; Hyde 284-5 dec Bowdon 139; Macclesfield 256-7 Bollington 234-8; Oxton 177-8 Widnes 130-9 Upton 249-2 dec Sale 214-6; Urmston 233-5 Stockport 234-8

Division Two: Alvanley 210-8 Runcorn 207; Christleton 134 Brooklands 265-5 dec; Hale Barns 182-7 Weaverham 177; Lindow 150 Romiley 154-5; Mobberley 198-9 Tattenhall 170-8; Northwich 130-5 Warrington 126