APPLETON continued their push for promotion in Cheshire Cricket Alliance Division One with a convincing home win against Stalybridge.

Leaders Appleton destroyed the visitors' positive start by scalping eight wickets for 25 runs, with Brian Woods taking 5 for 9 and Pete Worrall claiming 3 for 16.

In-form Ant Hurst's unbeaten 58 quickly gave Appleton victory.

Appleton travel to fourth-placed Kingsley for a must-win game on Saturday and then travel to Langley on Sunday for a rearranged cup semi final.

The seconds won a thrilling cup quarter final against Sandbach's seconds at Lyons Lane. Chris Grumley notched up a half century as he helped the home side reach 179 all out from 40 overs.

Sandbach kept up with the run rate but some excellent bowling from John Stoker, who took four wickets, helped bowl out the visitors six runs short of the Appleton total.

Appleton will be away to Wilmslow Wayfarers in the semi finals on August 19.

The thirds scored a valuable win at home against Wirral to increase their promotion hopes from Division Five. A steady 45 from Dave Darbyshire helped Appleton set a total of 154 for 7.

Roger Cawthorne bagged four wickets and Mike Ormson took three wickets as the visitors were bowled out for 80.

Appleton's Emma Barlow will be hoping to build on her Cheshire women's debut next season.

Barlow played in the county's five-run defeat against eventual champions Warwickshire, helping to keep Cheshire in Liverpool Victoria County Championship Division Three for next year.