APPLETON kept the pressure on Division One title rivals Stretton with an eight-wicket win against Stalybridge St Pauls on Saturday.

The hosts bowled Stalybridge, who won the toss and elected to bat, out for 128 with Tom Lomas, 4 for 34, and A Aslam, 4 for 30, doing most of the damage.

In reply, Appleton won the game scoring 130 for 2 with Lomas completing a fine all-round game unbeaten on 75.

However Stretton continued their own assault on the title by smashing Glazebury by 210 runs.

A century from U Ashraf, 166, and Suhaib Arshad's 47 helped them to 265 for 8, while Sam Stanier took an impressive7 for 81 with the ball.

In reply, Glazebury were bowled out for 55 with Umer Zeb taking 3 for 7 and Nikhil Bahl taking 3 for 14.

Rylands sit within four points of the Division Two summit after beating Styal by eight wickets.

Styal won the toss and made 192 for 8 as A Thomas took 3 for 42.

In reply, Rylands won the game scoring 197 for 2 with R Buck 82 and A Brady unbeaten on 62.

Appleton seconds beat hosts Knutsford by 29 runs in Division Three with M Cumberland taking four wickets, while Glazebury seconds beat Frodsham thirds by nine wickets in Division Four West.

Appleton fourths lost by 85 runs to Port Sunlight, while Rylands seconds lost to Old Parkonians.