Cricket: Oulton still on course to clinch promotion place

OULTON kept their promotion hopes alive by overhauling Bignall End's imposing score of 285.

Simon Howle (68) and Tahir Mughal (55), right, had set Bignall on course for a good total with a 77-run partnership.

Joel Quick then hit 66 to push the score up to 285-6, before skipper Adrian Myatt's declaration.

But Oulton's Myles Coughlan (47) and Mel Dawson (49) continued their fine form at the top of the order with a stand of 92.

Shaun Meijer followed up by smashing 92, including five sixes, and Ian Addyman made 53, as Oulton secured a five-wicket win in only 46.5 overs.

But leaders Whitmore are still 49 points ahead of third-placed Oulton after a 57-run win at Oakamoor.

Irfan Farzil top-scored with 66 in Whitmore's 134, with Mohammed Ayub (4-63) among the wickets for the home side.

In the reply, Andrew Whitehead was the star for Whitmore with 7-25, as Oakamoor managed only 77.

Second-placed Norton claimed an even more convincing win against lacklustre Silverdale.

Simon Davies (5-20) and Greg Willott (4-23) combined to devastating effect to bowl out Silverdale for a lowly 48, and Norton lost only one wicket in their successful run chase.

Elsewhere, bottom side Caverswall increased their survival hopes with a four-wicket win against Newcastle and Hartshill.

Professional Asim Butt hit 38 in Newcastle's 109, with Ranga Dias (5-53) and Mike Coxon (4-50) the pick of the bowlers.

Karl Cassidy saw the home side to victory with 42no, despite three wickets apiece for Butt and Rob Walker.

Caverswall's win means they are only 20 points behind third-from-bottom Betley, who lost to Ashcombe Park by 115 runs.

Andrew Jones (71) and Dave Clowes (60) pushed Ashcombe's score to 205, while Darren Snape took 5-65.

Ahmed Gondal was again in form with the ball, claiming 5-38 to skittle Betley for 90.

Meanwhile, Moddershall A could be pulled into the relegation dogfight after a five-wicket defeat to Weston.

Hassan-ul-Qasim Haleem claimed 5-31, as Weston took the upper hand by dismissing Moddershall for 100.

Weston skipper Raj Kumar led his side to victory with 45, despite Jon Stanley's haul of 3-6.