IN the top game in the county, a magnificent opening stand of 174 between Chris Bassano, and Danny Leech saw Oulton Park to a seven-wicket victory at Little Budworth.

The two teams have won the ECB Premier League title four times between them since 2002.

Put in to bat, Bowdon lost the dangerous Crozier and Brookes to Stuart Eaton (3-57) but Ball (33) and Yates, Lancs all rounder, (52) recovered to 98-2.

Then a mini collapse saw Ball run out, Jones removed Yates and Dumelow clean bowled big hitting John Bean for a duck.

Ian Claridge (57) and Ian Cross (76) staged a recovery with a stand of 102 but 253-8 was never enough in a high-class wicket and a fast outfield.

Stewart Eaton took 3-57 and Nathan Dumelow 3-75.

With Danny Leech back to his best form and Bassano showing what he is capable of, Oulton Park cantered home with eight overs to spare when Dumelow hit spinner Edwards for four.

Bassano's innings of 130 included 13 fours and seven sixes while Leech's innings of 82 included 15 fours.

The result has seen Oulton pull themselves up from fourth to third in the ECB Premier League but Hyde remain top after piling up another 25 points with a six-wickets win at Oxton, who still seek their first success.

Next week Oulton are away to newly promoted Birkenhead Park and are hoping to have Paul Berry and Robin Taylor back in action.