Barlaston take a step closer in big mission

BARLASTON took a giant step towards promotion from NSSCL Division One with victory over fellow high-fliers Rode Park & Lawton.

- Chris Travers

The leaders' win against their third-placed rivals opened up a 43-point gap between the pair with just four matches of the season remaining.

Hosts Rode Park & Lawton knew that a win was essential if they had any hope of reeling in the table-toppers in the remaining weeks of the campaign.

And, more importantly, it would have cranked up the pressure on Stone SP 2nd XI, who sit in second, during the run-in.

The early signs were promising from a Rode Park & Lawton perspective as they made their way to 165-3.

Zia Ul Haw Parwani hit nine fours and three sixes in his 83, with Lewis Bent chipping in with 34.

However, the innings unravelled from that juncture as the hosts were bundled out for 189.

Fida Hussain helped himself to 4-13, Jack Davies picked up 3-44 and there were a couple of victims for Rory Jones. Hussain was then at the forefront of Barlaston's successful chase, top-scoring with an unbeaten 74. He struck 10 boundaries.

Brian Sims (43) and Davies (42) were also in fine fettle as the leaders wrapped up a five-wicket win, despite Zia Ur Rahman Zaland's double.

Stone SP are 18 points ahead of Rode Park & Lawton following their home win against Sandbach, who now find themselves in the relegation zone.

A second-wicket stand of 165 between K Abeysinghe and J Cheadle formed the backbone of Stone SP's 233-4 from their 40 overs.

Abeysinghe was in free-scoring mood as he compiled 114 not out, which contained 16 fours and one six.

Cheadle was in excellent nick as well, making 67 with eight boundaries thrown in for good measure.

L Bailey weighed in with 22, while S Abid grabbed 3-29 for the visitors.