Timperley 175-8
Poynton 176-8
Poynton win by two wickets

Poynton's lower order helped their side to an important victory in Division One of the Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League.

In a dramatic finale, wicketkeeper Ian Rabagliati hit the first two balls of the final over for four and two to see his side over the line.

Poynton's tail-enders have struggled with the bat in recent weeks, but here they helped their side to a nailbiting win.

Poynton had already made their run chase harder by conceding runs at the end of the Timperley innings, and opener Damian Stringer being run out without facing was not an ideal start to their reply.

But boundaries quickly flowed from the flashing blades of Antonio Mayers (24), and Paul Gould (57).

After Gould's partnership with Brian Kingham was broken, Kingham took over the leading role, and some superb clean hitting from David Watkins, who hit two sixes in a cameo of 22, saw Poynton well placed at 143-3.

But then came Kingham's departure to a fine catch for 33, followed by four wickets for six runs to James Jordan in his second spell.

At 165-8, all four results were briefly possible. But Jordan's final analysis of five for 43 could not deny Poynton the win.

Poynton reduced Timperley to 21-3, one of these to a superb catch by Jamie Maltman. They also turned the screw superbly in mid-innings as 28 successive overs passed by for only 42 runs, Mayers and Maltman reeling off a string of maidens.

Mark Leathley, with 43, and Danny Birtles with a run-a-ball 29 ensured that 86 was added to the total in the final 11 overs.

Mayers finished with five wickets for 54 runs to take his season's wicket tally to 30.

n Poynton progressed to the last 16 of the Lovelane Cheshire Cup after being given a scare by Ashton on Mersey, who are two divisions below in the Cheshire pyramid.

Ashton reached 204-8 in 45 overs, with Steve Eastham scoring 82.

Damian Stringer returned excellent figures of one for 14 from nine overs, then showed good form with the bat as his knock of 40 got the reply off to a good start.

Kingham's 33 and an unbeaten 50 from Rick Clark guided Poynton home as they reached their target with five overs and four wickets in hand.