Leaders Crewe are left on cloud nine after Lewis' ton

CREWE extended their lead in NSSCL Division Two to 32 points after picking up a ninth successive victory.

- Chris Travers

The Cheshire side continued their unblemished start to the summer with a crushing victory over Norton in Hales seconds.

And their day became even better when closest challengers Sandyford and Little Stoke fell to defeat, which enabled them to take an even stronger hold on the division.

Rory Kalnins made 31 early in Crewe's innings, but from 55-2, the stars of the show were Lewis Bacon and Ollie Jarvis.

Bacon hit 14 fours and two sixes in a brilliant 121 not out and Jarvis' unbeaten 70 featured nine fours, as Crewe made 256-2 declared from 46 overs on their road trip.

Jack Warrington (20no) and Jamie Shaw (15) made starts in reply, but Norton in Hales' batting failed to fire as a unit.

They were eventually bundled out for 75 as Faisal Mahmood picked up 5-10 and Jarvis followed up his batting heroics with 3-29.

Sandyford remain in second place, but lost by 15 runs away at Congleton.

Home side Congleton posted 185 all out in the formative stages of the contest, fronted by L Booth’s 48.

J Higginbotham (36), H Podmore (31) and T Courtney (28) lent valuable support for the Booth Street outfit.

N Skillcorn and C Leese claimed 3-19 and 3-26 for the visitors.