KNUTSFORD recovered from a stuttering start to their run-chase at Wistaston Village to record a win that sent them to the top of the table.

Khawar Iqbal (57 off 44 balls) held together their innings during its early stages after they found themselves in trouble at 41-4.

There was still work to do after his departure, but Rana Saqlan (53no) took them to their target at 165-6 in the 32nd over.

Their hosts had put 161-9 on the board in a Cheshire League Division Four fixture after winning the toss.

Skipper Adeel Bhatti (2-37) and Abid Hussain (3-23) claimed the wickets of Ben Clark (37) and George Botham (39) before Saqlan (2-24) weighed in later.

His side are 40 points clear of third-placed Trafford MV ahead of a visit from back-markers Bowdon Vale on Saturday.

Knutsford’s seconds lost by seven wickets at home to Warrington’s thirds in Division C North.

The hosts tumbled to 111 all out after Raj Soni (3-36) had run through their top-order, with Asumon Ahmed (27) the leading-scorer.

It proved too small a total to defend though, and Simon Batey (44no) and Farhad Qayum (38no) shared in an unbroken partnership worth 62 runs to settle the outcome in their side’s favour.

Knutsford travel to Bowdon Vale’s seconds this weekend, from 12.30pm.

Results

UKFast Cheshire League

Week 19

Saturday, August 25

Division Four: Audlem 253-4 dec Trafford MV 216-9; Bowdon Vale 167 Tranmere Victoria 194; Styal 92-2 Frodsham 91; Winsford 76 Glazebury 156-8; Wistaston Village 161-9 Knutsford 165-6. Abandoned: Westminster Park v Over Peover

Division C North: Europa Exiles 94 Kingsley 2nd 134; Frodsham 2nd 133 Appleton 4th 177-7; Glazebury 2nd w/o Winnington Park 2nd; Knutsford 2nd 111 Warrington 3rd 112-3; Rostherne w/o Bowdon Vale 2nd