BEN Hicks produced a sensational spell of bowling to slice through the Port Sunlight batting order as he claimed six wickets to lead Hale Barns' first XI to an eight-wicket win in Cheshire Cricket League Division One.

Joe Cooper then struck a quickfire 36 to ensure there would be no nerves during the run chase as the hosts cruised to victory to keep their slim hopes of a late promotion push alive.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat but they were soon regretting that decision as Hicks was in devastating form, removing four top-order batsmen cheaply, including Port Sunlight’s leading runs scorers Simon Melberzs (nought) and Wayne Greve (one).

Dave Saddington also added the wicket of opener Matty Howard (11) as Barns secured complete control by restricting the score to 22-5.

Ryan Kearney and Taylor Cox provided brief respite for the away team, adding 20 runs as a pair until the former was dismissed by Saddington, while Cox (14) became Hicks’ fifth victim shortly after.

Hale did not allow their high standards to drop as Hicks (6-22) and Saddington (3-24) took another wicket each before Chris Newton (13) became the last man out as Joe Fretwell-Walsh (1-4) took just four deliveries to get in on the act.

Barns had 60 overs to achieve a target of 68, but opening batsmen Ben Staniforth and Cooper elected to play aggressively to avoid an anxious run chase.

The duo took the total to 55 unscathed until Cooper departed for 36 off 30 balls, but Staniforth (22 not out) survived to the end, while Hashir Dafedar (seven) finished things off with a maximum as the home side sealed victory inside 16 overs.