Mountford and Malik take Burslem top

Burslem lost the services of their professional Wasim Khan but still inflicted a heavy defeat over Little Stoke to displace Knypersley at the top of the Waterworld North Staffs and South Cheshire League table.

They dismissed Little Stoke for a lowly 129 with Rob Haydon making a half-century for the home side. Kevin Cockerton (5-16) and Michael Brown (4-64) made life difficult for their opponents but gave their own batsmen an easy afternoon.

Kevin Mountford (59 not out) and Khalid Malik (51 not out) took Burslem to their target for the loss of just two wickets and with 26 overs in the game still remaining.

The win gave Burslem a two-point advantage over Leek who moved up from third place to second following an emphatic win over former leaders Knypersley, consigned now to third place.

Knypersley were dismissed for 183 with Ross Salmon making 48 and Paul Goodwin 43. The bowling honours for Leek were shared by Colin Deardon (4-23) and Wayne White (4-66) then the batting honours went to David Whieldon (67) and Rob King (48) as Leek scored the required runs for the loss of only three wickets.

At the other end of the table Barlaston entertained bottom club Wood Lane. The home team were shot out for an embarassing 37.

Richie Jervis did the main damage taking 6-20 including a hat-trick whilst Adie Butler weighed in with a useful 4-14. The visitors then lost two wickets achieving the necessary total. The result means that Barlaston replace Wood Lane in bottom position.

The 25-run difference between the winners Porthill Park and losers Stafford suggested a high-scoring affair but Porthill made just 131 after Stafford's Niroshan Bandaratilleke (6-29) and Mark Bengry (4-62) put them under severe pressure and Bengry followed up a hostile spell with the ball with a flourish worth 59.

But he received little support from his colleagues as Fazl-e-Akbar (5-34) and James McCarthy (3-53) shared the spoils to dismiss Stafford for 106 in less than 30 overs.