APPLETON closed the gap on Division One leaders Stretton on Saturday with a win by 59 runs at Holmes Chapel.

Winning the toss and opting to bat, T Lomas, 40, S Cooper, 40, and K Gavaskar, 33no, helped Appleton to 158 for 9.

In reply, Chapel were bowled out for 99 with A Rashid taking 7 for 15.

At Stretton, the match between with visitors Westminster Park was drawn.

Stretton won the toss, batted and made 245 for 9 with N Bahl making 40, J Ratnagiri, 52, and J Mir, 32.

Park reached 236 for 8 with A Ghafoor taking 3 for 34.