KNUTSFORD’S bowlers delivered their side’s best result of the campaign when they dismissed Old Parkonians for 55 at the weekend.

The promotion-chasing visitors to Mereheath Lane were favourites to record a victory when they knocked over the home team for 94.

Jay Khan (34) was defiant, riding his luck after being dropped twice, while Adnan Ghazanfar (17) and captain Adeel Bhatti (14) were the only other batsmen to post a double-digit score.

Old Parks struck 17 from the opening over before Waheed Khan (3-21) and an inspired Bhatti (6-24) proceeded to tear through the visitors’ batting order.

Teenager wicket-keeper Muhsin Ali held on to two catches to help secure an unlikely 38-run success in the Cheshire League fixture.

It leaves his side fifth in the Division Four table with four matches left of the campaign.

They return to action on Saturday week, August 26, at home to Tranmere.

Knutsford’s seconds, depleted by absences, ran out five-wicket victors at Winnington Park seconds.

Like the first team, they were inspired in the field and ran out four Park batsmen.

Zain Ali and Ryan Butterworth both claimed stunning catches of the bowling of debutant Shabab Niaz (3-31) as the home team succumbed for 97.

Darren Longdon (2-24) and birthday boy Abdul Qadoos (1-28) both contributed too.

Captain David Butler (23) anchored a successful reply at 98-5, supported by Ali (15) and Butterworth (14) before Qadoos struck a decisive boundary for the second time in the past three weeks.

They host second-placed Langley on Saturday, from 1.30pm.

Results

UKFast Cheshire League

Week 17

Saturday, August 12

Division Four: Audlem 126 Holmes Chapel 156; Knutsford 94 Old Parkonians 56; Pott Shrigley 113 Westminster Park 213; Tranmere Victoria 171 Winsford 82

Division C South and Central: Holmes Chapel 2nd 66 Aston 2nd 70-7; Langley 2nd 254-1 Over Peover 2nd 118; Mossley 2nd conceded to Cholmondeley 2nd; Prestbury 2nd 174-3 Haslington 3rd 171-4; Winnington Park 2nd 97 Knutsford 2nd 98-5; Winsford 2nd 34 Wistaston Village 2nd 117