WINNINGTON Park, needing to win to stay in with a chance of promotion, overcame horrific conditions and an Ashton-on-Mersey team battling against relegation on Saturday.

Winnington's top order were given a stiff challenge, and although runs came fairly quickly, so did the wickets. The leg spin of promising junior Andrew Roscow was almost unplayable at times, and they found themselves in deep trouble at 60-6.

Chris Leech batted with guts and determination for 26 and the ever improving Eoin Welch compiled a match-saving 32. Winnington finished on 103 all out from just 35 overs.

All four Winnington bowlers bowled out of their skins. Will Chambres returned excellent figures of 2 -10. James Cowell 3-27, then Stuart Hayes bought on the experience of Mike Johns and Adam Parkinson to finish off the job.

Johns took 3-33 and Parkinson 2- 18 to complete a great win against all odds as Ashton collapsed to 97 all out.

Winnington now climb up to 3rd, 22 points behind Warrington with 2 games left. They face Cheadle at home on

Saturday, and will be looking for a maximum 25 points to stay in contention.

Captain Hayes said: "The season isn't over for us, we are still in this battle, and if we fail to get there, we want that second spot."

WInnington Park 2nd XI played against Grappenhall at home on Saturday, only managing 163-8 in 55 overs.

A partnership by Paul Allen (18 not out) and Jason Hayes took the score from 138 to a respectable 163.

Grappenhall were bowled out for 150. Steve Johnson took 4-4, and Allen finished with figures of 3-25

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