Leek see advantage cut as Alsager take win in thriller

In reply, Whitmore drew stumps on 133-8 as Dave Cartlidge took 3-17 and Trevor Stewart claimed two wickets.

Caverswall’s hopes took a hit as they were beaten at home by Meakins thirds.

Shoaib Ali (22) and 21 apiece from Jawaad Riaz and Jake Coxon helped Meakins to 133 all out. Glen Moore (27) fronted the Caverswall reply, but three wickets apiece from Coxon (3-7) and Ian Higgins (3-33) left Caverswall all out for 91.

Ashcombe Park eased to the points at home against Sandon after scoring 167.

Steve Proffitt, pictured below left, made 56, hitting 10 fours and one six in his 37-ball knock.

Sandon struggled in reply and were routed for 68.

Experienced campaigner Lee Slater instigated their demise with 5-19, with Chris Jenkins taking 3-15. Grant Roberts helped himself to the other two wickets to fall.

Blythe won on their visit to Knypersley.

Mark Stanyer’s unbeaten 54, which saw him hit six fours and two sixes, was allied to 40 from Mahfuj Miah, as Blythe amassed 138-6 from their allocation.

Jack Muni and Dominic Cumberbatch both took a couple of victims.

Chris Barry made 36 not out after the interval - batting throughout the Knype reply - but there was little support floating around for him,

That left Knypersley all out for 104 as Hamza Shirzad and Stanyer snared 4-23 and 3-24 respectively.

▶ WOORE remain second in NSSCL Division Four but had to stave off a spirited performance from Moddershall & Oulton thirds to pocket another triumph despite being restricted to 123-7.

In-form batsman Hassan Haleem top-scored with 42. Shaun Brian picked up a couple of wickets for the Modd men.

Moddershall & Oulton looked to be in fine fettle in their run chase as Gareth Moulton made 50 but were eventually bowled out for 117 as George Walker (3-16), Craig Ruscoe (3-18) and Aidan Cumberbatch (3-29) all took three wickets.

Elworth cemented their place at the top of the table with a victory cruise at home against Newcastle & Hartshill.

It’s now eight wins in nine matches for the Cheshire outfit as they eased past their Castle opponents to record a seven-wicket success.

Newcastle & Hartshill seconds were restricted to 128 all out as Isaac Austin (3-30), Matt Holding (3-21) did the damage.

That was despite Daniel Bogges producing a fine innings of 52, which contained five fours and one six.

Elworth took just 19 of their 40 overs to cross the winning line.

Kieran Allsop was a player in a hurry as he required a mere 39 balls to make 56 not out including five fours and two sixes. Matthew Yardley played his part with 37.

Porthill Park thirds are also lurking in the shadows as they thumped Silverdale seconds in their weekend meeting.

Mathew Guest’s 52, featuring six fours and two sixes, allied to Matthew Cope’s 31, ensured that Porthill Park raced to 2237.

Anthony Green (44) impressed after the interval, but there was little else to shout about from a Dale perspective as they were bundled out for 65.

Matt Farr and Jonathan Tatton claimed 3-18 and 3-25 respectively.

Bignall End timed things to perfection to win at home against Onneley.

Set 156 to win, the hosts knocked off the runs with one ball to spare and with two wickets in hand.

Andrew Howle’s 75 was integral to that victory bid, while Gareth Moulton chipped in with a crucial 24.

Adam Edwards took 3-21 for Onneley, while Jake Short weighed in with two wickets.

Runs were at a premium in the match between Hem Heath thirds and Bagnall Norton seconds - and it was the latter who were 15 points richer when play concluded.

Bagnall Norton could only make 114 all out, in which Lee Sockett top-scored with 21.

Ben Topley produced an inspired spell for Hem Heath with 5-9, while Tom Lowe added 3-10.

In reply, Farhar Ul Islam made 31, but Hem Heath were skittled for 88 as Warren Aubrey and Brandon Missole both ended up with 3-10.