NSSCL Division One

MEIR Heath's quest for a return to the Premier Division for the first time since 2007 continued to pick up pace with a six-wicket win at Whitmore.

Last week's hero Joe Woodward was again at the forefront of Meir Heath's success as his 4-59 helped to dismiss Whitmore for 183.

Professional Chris Guest weighed in with 3-43, although Yasir Javed (41) and Andrew Whitehead (33) provided resistance with the bat.

Woodward registered 31 with the willow to complete a fine day for the 19-year-old after opener Jason Britton had hit 48 to put Meir Heath on the victory path.

Guest (33no) and Nick Locker (21no) then shared a crucial stand to complete matters. and leave Meir Heath seven points clear of Elworth.

Paul Crompton and Scott Elliott shared nine wickets to see Elworth secure their first win of the season with a demolition job on Crewe.

Dave Palin's 53, aided by 40 from Ross Kesteven and Chris Regan's 30 saw Elworth post 236-8 declared.

Hasmin Naseer claimed 4-73, before the Elworth bowlers stepped into the spotlight.

Crompton (5-30) and Elliott (4-23) blitzed Crewe for just 84 to wrap up a 152-run win.

Blythe are level on points with Elworth after an 85-run victory over new boys Norton.

Opener Martin Bailey struck 62 for Blythe, while Matt Goodwin added an undefeated 50 in his side's 229-7 declared.

Norton captain Tony Dutton led from the front to pick up 4-47 – and also added 42 in the run chase at the top of the innings.

However, Norton were unable to compile any substantial partnerships and , although Joshua Graham made 28, some excellent bowling saw them dismissed for 144.

Rob Mozelewski took 4-28. and Nathan Kingsbury took 3-32.

Norton's fellow new boys Stafford registered their second straight draw in their match with Cheadle.

Ashley Lunn and Ryan Fox scored 32 and 36 respectively in the top order, but it took some middle-order contributions from Robert James (75) and Shawn Hunt (37) to enable them to declare on 229.

Chris Barker impressed with the ball as he completed 15 overs in taking 4-65.

Cheadle opener Robert Coxon batted through his side's innings to make 77 from 155 balls, but the middle order failed to fire for Cheadle. Wicketkeeper Darren Plant hit 37 to banish any prospects of defeat as Cheadle closed on 176-7.

Sean Connolly was the pick of the Stafford bowlers with 3-34, although Oliver Stark was reward for a 17-over stint by taking 2-44.

Barlaston kick-started their promotion drive with a seven-wicket win against Sandyford.

Sandyford could only total 130 all out after electing to bat, with Gareth Rigby's 20 being their top contribution.

Barlaston's three-man attack chipped away at the Sandyford line-up, as Mark Stanyer claimed 4-22 from 19.4 overs.

Razman Mohammed secured three victims, while Naeem Khan took 3-67.

Ben Grange struck 11 fours in his 61 to set Sandyford on their way, while three fours and three sixes in Richard Sharpe's 35 saw them cruise to victory. Kidsgrove bounced back from last week's defeat at Meir Heath with a 97-run win against bottom side Rode Park and Lawton.

The experienced Gary Stanyer top-scored with 57 in Kidsgrove's 202-9 declared, although a late 27 not out from youngster Elliott Maginnis boosted the total.

Jim Johnson and Matt Myatt both picked up three wickets for Rode Park.

Wicketkeeper Neil Chadwick responded with 40 in the run chase, but the rest of the Rode Park batting line-up endured a disappointing afternoon as they were bowled out for 105.

Ian Bailey's excellent 4-7 was the stand-out display in the Kidsgrove effort, although Mitchell Spencer and Dave Leese chipped in with double strikes of their own.