RYLANDS sailed to an emphatic eight-wicket win over Knutsford on Saturday to stay second in the Cheshire Alliance Division Two.

After losing the toss and being asked to bowl, the home side set about the task with great purpose. Fine bowling and tight fielding helped the hosts take control of the innings, with the ever-reliable G Sujith returning figures of 4 for 33 off 15 overs including two in two balls.

He was backed up by the hostile Mark Green, 1 for 30, and the mesmerising swing bowling of skipper Matt Brady, 2 for 19, as Rylands dismissed Knutsford for 111 on the board - questionable running from the batsmen and excellent run outs from the likes of Sean Peters, Dylan Glass and Graeme Rowlands accounting for the remaining wickets.

In response, Rylands opening pair of Eddie Platt and Richard Buck began the run chase in watchful fashion, dealing admirably with tight early bowling and a swinging ball. When both openers fell with the scoreboard showing 23 for 2.

Alan Brady, 41 not out, and Graeme Rowlands, 42 not out, accelerated the run rate to take the game away from Knutsford.

The winning runs were hit in the 27th over, giving Rylands a third consecutive 25 point victory and solidifying the team’s position in second place in the league table.

The team will look to carry this momentum on into next week’s top of the table clash away at Maritime.