DAVENHAM produced their best performance of the campaign when they needed it and are likely now to avoid being relegated.

Sam Hunt (107 off 113 balls) scored a maiden century for the first team in a Cheshire County League game as they scored 232-7 at home to promotion-chasing Widnes.

He struck 10 fours and landed six maximums, and shared too in a third-wicket partnership worth 125 runs with James Loveridge (53), during a mature innings.

A superb collective display in the field at Butcher’s Stile ended with the visitors all out for 181.

Ben Gough (3-45) was rewarded for applying early pressure before Alex Hewitt (41) and Qamar Hafiz (40) added 60 runs together for the seventh wicket to revive Widnes’ hopes.

Captain Danny Hancock (4-37) saw off both of them to take back control for his side before Adam Garrod (3-37) completed the job.

Weaverham will need to win both of their remaining matches if they are to avoid relegation from Division Two following an eight-wicket reverse against Warrington.

The Russets, who featured Rob McMillan for the first time this season, were rolled over for 102 after winning the toss.

Rohan Luthra (30no) and skipper Jonathan Fletcher (47no) then added 72 runs together as the visitors eased to 105-2 in the 32nd over.

It leaves Ian Eaton’s men 28 points adrift of a position of safety before a trip to champions-elect Brooklands this weekend.

Northwich could not do their neighbours a favour, falling to a three-wicket reverse at struggling Mobberley in the same section.

The visitors’ 142 all out was below-par, and a 45-run stand for the fifth wicket between James Plant (27) and Matthew Holland (19) was the highlight.

Tharusha Fernando also contributed 27.

The home team were grateful to Matt Mountney (49no) for guiding them to 145-7 in the 31st over.

He combined with opener Will Berrisford-Ince (36) to add 47 for the third wicket after James Gittings (2-34) had broken through.

Spinners Andrew Dufty (3-26) and Tharusha (2-43) weighed in too.

Martyn East was the outstanding performer for Oulton Park when they beat Alderley Edge by 36 runs at Little Budworth in a Premier Division encounter.

He returned figures of 6-72, with Ben Gibbon holding on to catches for three of those, to help knock over the visitors for 219.

Tom Hyslop (3-64) provided support.

East had earlier contributed 77 to a first-wicket partnership with Danny Leech (61) worth 136 runs as Oulton Park put 255-8 on the board after winning the toss.

Callum Begg (27), Matthew Jamieson (22) and Mark Latham (20no) chipped in too.

Results

Vivio Cheshire County League

Week 20

Saturday, September 1

ECB Premier Division: Bramhall 107 Nantwich 111-1; Didsbury 151 Cheadle 155-5; Marple 244-9 Timperley 247-6; Neston 227-3 Grappenhall 224-8; Oulton Park 255-8 Alderley Edge 219; Toft 285-7 Chester Boughton Hall 286-3

Division One: Barrow 126-6 Macclesfield 123; Bowdon 190 Stockport 191-9; Davenham 232-7 Widnes 181; Hyde 252-6 Oxton 249; Sale 226-5 Bollington 225-6; Upton 150 Urmston 208-8

Division Two: Hale Barns 189 Christleton 232-8; Lindow 179-4 Alvanley 178-8; Mobberley 145-7 Northwich 142; Romiley 180 Brooklands 183-4; Tattenhall 165 Runcorn 119; Weaverham 102 Warrington 105-2