CHOLMONDELEY are recognised as one of the weaker sides in the Murray Smith County League's Division Two, and they were shown no mercy by second-placed Winnington Park on Saturday.

Winnington won the toss and elected to field on a wicket made for a 500-run game.

Great opening spells from James Cowell and Will Chambres restricted the visitors to just 34-2 after 20 overs, both bowlers taking a wicket each.

Park then took a blow as Cowell had to take an early shower, leaving the field with a back injury. The forced bowling change brought Parkinson and Johns together, and they went through the Cholmondeley line-up in 46 overs for just 110 runs.

The tight bowling again working for Park, with Parkinson taking another five wickets for just 30 runs, and Johns taking 3-39.

Parkinson is now the leading wicket-taker in the league with 35, while Johns is sixth with 25.

The small target was soon reached as Park displayed the quality of the wicket and the quality of their top order.

Daniel Leech played an excellent innings of 47 not out - he is now averaging more than 75 with the bat - and was well supported by James Lewis (31).

Winnington finished the task in the 22nd over for the loss of just two wickets, and their 20-point haul keeps them in second place as the top three move clear of the rest.

This Saturday, Winnington face a crucial tie against Warrington at the Rec, starting at 1.30pm.

Winnington Park 2nds had no fixture on Saturday, but on Sunday they battled for a place in the final of the 2nd XI Taylor Trophy at Urmston.

With the club having to put out three teams, the 2nds were under-strength as Urmston won the toss and elected to field.

Park batted with real guts on a lively wicket and against some hostile bowling. Ian Johns was the only batsman to get to grips with the awkward bounce, scoring 52 not out.

Phil Hyde provided some support with 21, but Winnington ended up with a disappointing 150-8 from their 45 overs.

Urmston didn't hang around, putting bat to ball immediately, scoring 20 off the first three overs and reaching 62-1 off 10 overs.

It was always going to be difficult for Park to get back into the game. Howard Burtwistle and Steve Johnson took two wickets each, but Urmston cruised to their target with 13 overs to spare for the loss of six wickets.

Winnington 2nds travel to Poynton in their next league match on Saturday, starting at 1.30pm.

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