Sandbach are the big winners

THE top two in NSSCL

Division Seven - Rode Park & Lawton and Audlem - both lost at the weekend.

Leaders Rode Park & Lawton, who are a point clear, were beaten by Sandbach, while Audlem lost a high-scoring encounter at Moddershall & Oulton sixths.

Third-placed Sandbach, now four points off the summit, posted 164-9 on their visit to Rode Park & Lawton, mainly thanks to Gennaro Reddy’s 48. George Howell captured 4-14.

In reply, Chris Henderson made 39, but Matthew Reel’s 4-39 and 3-19 from Reddy, left the home side all out for 87.

Audlem missed the chance to take over at the top following their loss.

Stuart Leigh (77) and Vandan Patel (35) were in good nick to power the Modd men to 212-7 from their 40 overs. Neil Humphries (3-22) and James Cottrell (3-39) took three wickets apiece.

Chris Shenton dominated the Audlem run chase, compiling 126, but his side were dismissed for 200. Elliot Massey led the Modd men’s bowling effort with 3-41.

Newcastle & Hartshill thirds won on their visit to Betley.

George Hickman’s 70, which contained 10 fours and one six, plus 64 not out from Andy Keates - which came off only 37 balls - powered Castle to 239-8. Jonathan Phipps took 3-40.

Harvey Lowe and Luke Taylor struck 47 and 39 respectively after tea, but Chris Machin (3-36) and Hickman (3-37) starred with the ball as Betley were bowled out for 210.

Audley thirds beat Onneley seconds by nine wickets.

John Shenton (4-10) and Tom Eggerton (3-21) joined forces to skittle Onneley for just 64. Michael Knowles top-scored with 15. Charles Birkin’s 34 soon had Audley celebrating an easy triumph.

Wedgwood were five-wicket winners at Checkley thirds.

Mark Jones’ 3-21 helped to limit Checkley to 146-9, despite Joseph Lawton’s 30 and a fine 62 not out from Andrew Eccles.

Jack Farrington (3-25) hinted at a Checkley recovery, but Oliver Bennett’s 42 led Wedgwood past the post.

Kidsgrove won at home against Porthill Park fourths.

Connor Devine’s unbeaten 69 set Kidsgrove on their way to 147-5. Craig Chorlton (31) and Joseph Price (22) did their best to keep Porthill Park in contention, but they were dismissed for 111.

Devine (3-5), Adam Shaw (3-25) and Mathew Turnock (3-26) all took three wickets.