BOWLING proved to be the key for Appleton as they secured an eight-wicket victory over Alderley Park in the Cheshire League.

Having won the toss and invited their visitors to bat first, Appleton quickly set to work with the ball and blew away the visitors’ top order.

Five of the top six Alderley Park batsmen were dismissed without scoring, with opener Robin Farmer scoring 22 in the only real show of resistance.

Alderley Park were skittled for a paultry total of 66, which would have been lessened had the Appleton bowlers not given away 16 extras.

Skipper Tom Lomas took 4-13 for the hosts, while Kanthiraj Gavaskar took 3-11 and Joe Cooper chipped in with 2-20 to leave their batsmen with a simple task.

They did lose a couple of wickets but Lomas was there at the end alongside Antony Hurst to secure a crushing win.

Appleton are back in action on Saturday at Over Peover.