ONE of only three teams in the Cheshire County Cricket League to beat the rain and win on Saturday, third-placed Davenham won a Division Two thriller at second-placed Haslington, writes Mike Talbot-Butler.
Davenham were bowled out for 85 with Mo Abed contributing a crucial 23, then Haslington were ditched for 71, James Jones claiming 4-6.
Leaders Marple were one of the other winners, by six wickets against Ashton on Mersey, and now top the table from Haslington, on 224, and Davenham, on 220.
In Division Three all six games were abandoned, Maritime remaining 14 points clear after an 11-9 points draw at Warrington.
Northwich collected 11 points with a strong batting display at home to Ashley, piling up 215 (Ruhil Nair 45). Ashley reached 115-3 in reply.
Oakmere were struggling at home to Hawk Green at the early closure, their visitors having totalled 219-8 (Nick Guest 6-55). Oakmere reached 44-3.
Winnington Park totalled 176 at Tattenhall, with Alec Butcher 55 and Mel Dobson 4-50, before Tatters got to 43-1.
Kingsley were indebted to Toby Mullins with 67 for posting 185-8, Barrow replying with 48-3.
Romiley were the only winners in Division One, replying with 142-8 to Congleton’s 138-9.
Sale lead the table by nine points from Bowdon, but might have lost to Stockport Georgians, who piled up 152-2 chasing Sale’s 188.
A splendid century came from Bramhall’s Nick Cantello with 109 not out in Bramhall’s 249-8. Home side Bowdon had an off day with a reply of 113-4.
Oulton Park enjoyed one of their better days at home to Timperley, posting 207-7 with an excellent 73 from Danny Leech. Timperley got to 65-4 when thunder joined the rain.
All six games in the Premiership were ended prematurely by rain, Didsbury remaining four points ahead after their visit to Alderley Edge was called off three deliveries after tea. Beforehand the leaders had totalled 191, with Ed Newnan 78, James Taylor 5-51.
Hyde, currently favourites for the title, had reached 148 without loss when their game at Neston was abandoned, Luke Young having scored 94 and Tom Partridge 51.
Marcus Stubbs had scored 137 not out and Spencer Byatt 74 when Nantwich declared at home to Cheadle on 250-4. The visitors had reached 79-2 when the storm arrived.
Chester Boughton Hall had totalled 145-5, Noah Vickery 67, when they were forced off.
Grappenhall faced defeat at Toft, having declared on 233-8 with Aran Shetty 94, Tom McCrury 86, Matt Cornes 4-63. Toft were on 109-1 from 25 overs, Phil Raikes 64 not out.
Widnes v Brooklands was abandoned early with seven points each with Brooklands on 175-7.
Results: Premier Division: Alderley Edge 0-0 Didsbury 191; Nantwich 150-4 dec Cheadle 79-2; Neston did not bat v Hyde 148-0; Oxton dnb v Chester 145-5; Toft 109-1 Grappehall 233-8 dec; Widnes dnb v Brooklands 175-7.
Division One: Alanley 128-6 v Macclesfield; Bowdon 113-4 Bramhall 249-8; Congleton 138-9 lost to Romiley 142-8; Lindow 72-4 Urmston 178; Oulton Park 207-7 Timperley 66-4; Stockport Georgians 152-2 Sale 188.
Division Two: Cheadle Hulme 205-4 NE Cheshire 145-3; Christleton v Hale Barns 221-4; Haslington 71 lost to Davenham 85; Marple 195-4 beat Ashton on Mersey 194; Mobberley 197-9 Bollington 97-4; Port Sunlight v Stockport 145.
Division Three: Kingsley 185-8 Barrow 48-3; Northwich 215 Ashley 115-3; Oakmere 44-3 Hawk Green 219-8; Tattenhall 43-1 Winnington Park 176; Upton 132-5 v Heaton Mersey; Warrington 54-4 v Maritime 188.
Fixtures for Saturday include the following (all noon): Premier League: Didsbury v Toft.
Division One: Macclesfield v Oulton Park.
Division Two: Davenham v Port Sunlight; NE Cheshre v Christleton.
Division Three: Ashley v Tattenhall; Barrow v Northwich; Heaton Mersey v Oakmere; Maritime v Kingsley; Winnington Park v Upton.
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