RYLANDS scored a significant victory on Saturday as they beat promotion rivals Old Parkonians at Gorsey Lane.

Neither side had lost a league game in the Cheshire Alliance Division Two going into this weekend’s clash, but Rylands’ record remained intact thanks to a superb individual performance from Sam Sparks.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the hosts’ innings was in dire trouble at 55-6 when former Glazebury man Sparks came to the crease.

He hit a superb 71 to rescue the innings with the help of the lower order as Rylands were eventually bowled out for 139.

It was a relatively modest total to defend, but Sparks showed his worth with the ball as he ripped through the Parkonians batting line-up.

His spin bowling was devastating as he finished with 4-31 as the visitors were dismissed for just 98.

Sujith Nair, Rick Buck and Andy Thomas also chipped in with two wickets each as Rylands remained top of the table.

The firsts are not in action this weekend but the seconds welcome Kerridge to Gorsey Lane on Saturday.

GLAZEBURY continued their recent upturn in form as they secured a second consecutive victory by beating Holmes Chapel.

The visitors won the toss at Hurst Lane and invited Glazebury to bat first, with the hosts making steady progress as no-one stuck around to make a truly game-changing score.

Dave Mason top scored with 26 as Jack Warhurst and Tom Wilkinson also made it to the twenties, but Glazebury were eventually finished on 140-9 from 40 overs.

In reply, it looked as if Holmes Chapel were comfortably cruising towards victory but they did not bank on superb spells of bowling from Hakeem Dahou and captain Sam Stanier.

Dahou finished with 5-34, while Stanier took 4-22 to turn the match completely on its head and bowl the visitors out for 101 to seal a 39-run victory.

They will look for a third win in a row when they travel to Tranmere Victoria on Saturday, while the seconds welcome Rostherne to Hurst Lane.

APPLETON Tigers exited the Women’s T20 Knockout Cup on Saturday as they were beaten by Didsbury.

After being asked to bat first, Appleton got off to a good start through Charlotte Cross and Holly McCurrie, with Laura Jackson pushing the score to 70-7 late on.

Nathalie Long then took two wickets in her first two overs as they made an ideal start to their defence of the total, but Didsbury sneaked home in the last over.