SECOND-placed Rylands will look to make it seven wins on the bounce when they host Division Two leaders Maritime on Saturday in a fixture that could play a key role in determining the title.

They made it six against Knutsford on Saturday.

With league rivals keeping the pressure on it was imperative that the team, currently sitting second in the table, secured maximum points to maintain their promotion hopes.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, the Warrington outfit made the perfect start with some exciting play from the opening pair, particularly from the bat of experienced campaigner Richard Buck.

Buck, celebrating his 31st birthday, unleashed an explosive 64-run onslaught in double quick time which was complemented by a watchful 22 from youngster Jez Wenkins.

This gave Rylands the early command of the game at 93 for the loss of no wicket within the first 13 overs.

With the departure of Buck, the mantle was picked up by the big-hitting Graeme Rowlands, who enjoyed dispatching the Knutsford bowling attack to all corners of the ground in an equally quick innings of 32.

However, the momentum of the game turned somewhat with the introduction of the second and third change bowlers, and a steady flow of wickets saw Rylands dismissed for 157, ultimately a disappointing total given the fine start to the innings.

Defending a below-par score is something this Rylands team has managed on more than one occasion this season, and the Gorsey Lane side bowled with purpose and aggression from the start.

A stubborn partnership emerged for the home team which looked capable of seeing them to the win, but fine bowling from the arm of exciting leg spinner Sam Mulholland (3 for 35 off 10) broke the partnership and opened the door for Rylands to attack.

With the required score standing at only 40 runs and with four wickets in hand, it took a moment of brilliance from captain Matt Brady to drag the game back in Rylands’ favour.

Brady picked up a wicket with his first ball, an edge caught at first slip by Buck, and followed that up with a sublime caught and bowled to record a double wicket maiden.

The remaining two wickets quickly followed as the skipper’s accuracy proved too good and the bails were sent flying.

The team celebrated Brady’s incredible figures of four wickets for five runs in 3.4 overs, and with it a vital 25-point haul.

The second team hosted Saughall in their Division Four fixture.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 133 with the returning Bond Bateson top scoring with a fine knock of 43 not out.

In reply the Rylands’ attack were never quite able to get on top of the Saughall batsmen, who comfortably reached their target for the loss of one wicket.