A CHESHIRE subplot spiced up the story of Oulton Park's win at Bramhall on Saturday.

Park's seventh win of the campaign moves them to within 13 points of high-flying Hyde at the halfway stage in the season as they look to mount a successful defence of their ECB Premier Division crown.

But bottom team Bramhall made them work for their points.

County captain Andy Hall (113) and Cheshire wicketkeeper Matt Dawson (64) helped their team post a defendable total.

Andrew Reynolds (41) was the only other batsman in the runs.

Despite a depleted bowling attack, skipper Nathan Dumelow (4-87) and Chris Jones (3-60) made sure Oulton gave themselves a chance.

Ben Spendlove, Daniel Jones and John Davies weighed in with a wicket apiece as Bramhall reached 262 all out.

In reply, Chris Bassano's fine run of form finally came to an end, but opening partner Danny Leech is amassing runs for fun at the moment.

The Cheshire opener made an unbeaten 88, hitting 12 fours, in his side's victorious run chase.

Fellow county picks Ben Spendlove (49) and Dumelow (57) helped Oulton home with three wickets and four balls to spare.

Paul Berry (33no) played his part too.

The champions host Alderley Edge at the weekend, when they will be favourites to further extend their unbeaten start to the season.

l OULTON Park continue their defence of the Cheshire Cup with another trip to Bramhall on July 16.

They will hope to repeat their victory there in the league last weekend.

l DANNY Leech and Ben Spendlove were on the losing side as the ECB Premier Division team went out to the Liverpool Competition in the first round of the President's Trophy.

Liverpool edged out their Cheshire counterparts by four wickets at Widnes.

l BRAMHALL 2nds went one better than their senior colleagues, beating Oulton Park 2nds by six wickets on Saturday.

Park batted first, posting 190-9 declared, as Steve Yates (67), Jonny Kettle (40) and Chris Blake (38) top-scored.

In reply, Bramhall reached 191 for the loss of only four wickets.

l OULTON Park 3rds edged out Upton 3rds to stay top of their league.