Spirited Davenham unable to halt Oulton’s cup bid

Jun 26 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

AIMING to win the Cheshire Cup for a record fourth successive season, Oulton Park sailed through their third round home tie against village neighbours Davenham, despite an alarm while David Ashley was slamming their bowlers for a breathtaking century.

Oulton compiled a massive 270-4 from their 45 overs, Danny Leech scoring 86, ex-Davenham player Louis Bentley 70 not out and Jonny Kettle 66. Davenham replied with a spirited 187, including a rapid 102 from Ashley, which contained 12 sixes and three fours.

Wallasey went through with a seven-wicket win at Lymm Oughtrington Park, whom they dismissed for 87 (Neil Caruthers 4-28). John Pugh went on to score an unbeaten 56 for the Wirral side.

The final third round game is on Sunday between Bramhall and Toft.

Hyde, meanwhile, became the first club to reach the quarter-finals with a 39-run win at Northwich, compiling 215-4 (Neil Elly 68 not out) then restricting their hosts to 176 (John O’Sullivan 52, Chris Tipper 3-14).

The only Cheshire club remaining in the Cockspur Cup, Hyde have now cleared the way to visit Saddleworth League leaders Bamford Fieldhouse in round six on Sunday.

The draw for round four of the Cheshire Cup (Sunday, June 29) is: Hyde through, Burnage v Nantwich, Oulton Park v Bollington, Chester Boughton Hall v Bowdon, Bramhall or Toft v Didsbury (July 13), Neston v Widnes, Elworth v Brooklands, Stockport v Wallasey.

In the first round of the Cheshire Shield, a record runs total of 691 was posted in the tie between Crewe and Bredbury, Crewe scoring 397-5 and Bredbury 294-8.

Upton beat Old Parkonians by 25 runs thanks to 66 from Ken Bora and 5-31 by paceman Ian Linwood.

Late withdrawals by Winnington Park, Lindow and Hawk Green gave byes to the second round to Birkenhead Park, Middlewich and Oxton respectively.

SECOND round draw (Sunday, July 6): Birkenhead Park v Birkenhead St Mary’s, Middlewich v Congleton, Rode Park v Romiley, Malpas x Oxton, Marple v Cheadle Hulme, Hale Barns v Compstall, Crewe v Alderley Park, Ashton-on-Mersey v Lymm Oughtrington Park.

Draw for the fourth round of the Cheshire County League Twenty 20 Trophy (to be played by August 1): Alderley Edge v Timperley, Sale or Marple v Hyde (holders), Chester Boughton Hall v Oulton Park, Grappenhall v Bowdon.