STYAL claimed the notable scalp of Cheshire Cricket League Division Five leaders Bowdon Vale on Saturday.

The result allowed them to leapfrog Frodsham into second place after a superb performance from their bowlers.

After winning the toss, Styal chose to bat first and the opening batsmen got the innings off to a good start by putting on 54 for the first wicket.

However, despite several home batsmen getting off to good starts, none were able to make a convincing total.

Wicket-keeper Ben Pickles’ score of 28 was the highest any Styal batsman could manage, with the Bowdon Vale attack taking wickets regularly to dismiss the hosts for 147.

The Styal bowlers then came into their own by taking early wickets to leave the visitors struggling in reply.

Leading wicket-taker Andy Tatton led the way with 3-47, with Luke Coventry and Stephen Shawcross chipping in with two wickets each.

It was Shawcross who took the final wicket with Bowdon Vale closing in on victory on 140, leaving Styal to celebrate a seven-run triumph.

Elsewhere, Wilmslow’s batting let them down in their defeat to Oakmere at the Rectory Field.

Ethan Harding scored 42, but Chris Arnot, 22, and Elliot Rowe, 21, were the only other home batsmen to reach double figures as they were bowled out for just 113.

Rowe and Jayam Patel took three wickets each as Wilmslow fought back with the ball, but Oakmere were able to secure a four-wicket victory.

Muhammad Usman inspired Wilmslow Wayfarers to victory over Wirral as he took 5-13 to dismiss the visitors for just 103.

The hosts’ reply wobbled as they were reduced to 41-5, but Mike Smith’s unbeaten 25 steered them to a three-wicket win.

In the Cheshire County League, Alderley Edge remain top of the Premier Division despite Saturday’s six-wicket defeat to struggling Hyde.

A below-par batting display saw Edge dismissed for 124, with Alan Day’s 49 the only score of note.

Hamish Winter-Irving took two wickets in reply, but the hosts cruised to their target.

In Division Two, Lindow also fell to defeat on the road at Alvanley.

Despite 3-52 from Ryan O’Brien with the ball, Lindow could not make an impact on the hosts’ batting as they posted 187-6.

The Lindow reply never got off the ground and they were dismissed for 136 to seal a 51-run loss, with Liam Castellas and Ben Tyler both scoring 34.

Fixtures, Saturday:

Cheshire County Cricket League:

Premier Division: Neston v Alderley Edge

Division Two: Christleton v Lindow

UKFast Cheshire League:

Division Two: Heaton Mersey v Wilmslow

Division Three: Stretton v Wilmslow Wayfarers

Division Five: Heaton Mersey Village v Styal