Bowden’s first Xl hosted struggling Rushton 2nds on Saturday and as in the previous weeks encounter, showed no mercy for the league’s weaker sides.

Bowling in tandem again, the creaky knees of Steve Bellamy pushed him on to dismiss the visitor’s top three batsmen (3-30) and Dan Broughton’s miserly spell (0-8) meant that Bowden were always in control of the game.

A double bowling change saw wickets fall at regular intervals as the ever reliable Sam Freer spun his way to take (4-36),  and young Jack Bellamy’s pace saw him polish off the tale with a tidy spell (3-11).

Rushton’s total of 97 all out would prove to be no challenge to Bowden’s powerhouse batting lineup.

The hosts run chase began well as skipper Karl Pollard (28) and Anthony Paton (24) put on a quick 71 before both were dismissed. Fran Finnemore’s cameo of 21* saw Bowden over the winning line on the 19th over, and to victory by 7 wickets.

With other results going their way, Bowden are now very much in the promotion race.