DIDSBURY resembled promotion candidates when easing to an eight-wicket victory at Middlewich in Cheshire County Cricket League Division One.

Jordie Gibbens (45) and captain Nick Gill (32) added 53 runs for the fourth wicket as the home team totalled 144-9, though only Tom Shepherd joined them in reaching double figures.

Simon Normanton took four for 43 for the visitors.

In reply, Phil Critchley (63) and skipper Nick Anderson (42) were unbeaten in a partnership worth 63 runs as Didsbury reached their target at 146-2 in 27 overs.

A sequence of one win from their past four matches, including a two-wicket reverse at Oulton Park on Saturday, leaves Davenham adrift in sixth place.

They were bowled out for 123 at Little Budworth, with Mark Greaves (45) and Ben Gough (36no) their main scorers while seamer Andy Hards (6-39) continued his run of form.

The home team lost wickets regularly in reply, but Pat Roberts (39) and Andy Mills (25no) saw them across the line at 125-8 despite the best effort of Dean Jackson (4-28) for Davenham.

Leaders Weaverham won for the eighth time this season in Division Two to move 54 points clear of their closest rivals at the table’s summit.

Antiguan all-rounder Wilden Cornwall (104) led the way for the Russets, supported by half-centuries from Rob MacMillan (61) and Ian Eaton (52) as they declared at 249-5 after being put in by guests Poynton.

The visitors replied with 174, Mike Clarke (3-23), Kevin Waterhouse (3-50) and Cornwall (3-59) sharing the wickets as the victors improved their chances of being promoted to the second tier.

Aussie pace man Kyle Adams’ was key to Warrington’s six-wicket win at Northwich in the same section.

He returned figures of six for 35 from 14 overs as the men from Moss Farm were dismissed for 105, James Gittings (29) their leading scorer.

Spinner Andrew Dufty (2-23) was the pick of the hosts’ attack after the turnaround, but they had too small a total to defend as Warrington eased to 109-4.