MUGAVA AND MAHMOOD HIT TONS IN EASY MEAKINS WIN

SIMON Mugava and Hamaiz Mahmood scored centuries as Meakins cruised into the next round of the ECB National Club Championship. Meakins were making their debut in the competition after winning the NSSCL Premier Division last summer - and they made an excellent first impression at home against Oxton in Group Seven. Mugava and Mahmood put on 246 for the first wicket as Meakins piled up 322-2 from their 40 overs against the Cheshire County League Premier Division visitors. Mugava smashed 13 fours and 14 sixes in his 160, which came off just 97 balls, while Mahmood finished unbeaten on 108. Mahmood faced 117 deliveries and struck 11 fours and three sixes.

Sam Moores chipped in with 39 as Meakins made an under-strength Oxton toil at Ivy House Road.

Henry Dobson replied with a century of his own, making 119, featuring 16 fours and five sixes.

However, Oxton’s innings came to an end with the score on 160 as Zafar Iqbal took 3-64 and there were two wickets apiece for Shazad Liaqat and Peter Wilshaw. Stone SP are also through to the next stage after winning their Group Eight match at Oulton Park.

Martyn East (82) and Jonny Litler (40) compiled a secondwicket stand of 127 to leave Oulton Park in a commanding position on 145-1.

But the Cheshire Premier side then fell victim to a fine spell of bowling from Jack Motley. Motley scooped 6-29 as the home side tumbled to 198 all out. Edmund Gaffney and Cameron Sinclair shared the other wickets to fall. Stone SP lost George Hawbrook early in their reply, but Sam Graham and William Alsbury added 100 to put Stone SP on course. Alsbury departed for 24, but Graham motored on to 88, which included 14 boundaries.

And EJ Laverty finished off matters with an unbeaten 39 as Stone SP claimed a sixwicket victory.

· IN the second round of the NSSCL Talbot Cup, Premier Division Hem Heath eased past Division Two hosts Caverswall.