Greenwood Park completed a seven-wicket victory over Old Cholmeleians II to edge ever closer to the Division Eight A league title.

Park are now just two games away from claiming top spot but rivals Potten End remain hot on their heels in second, just one point adrift.

A 115-run partnership between Ed Gray (85*) and Jimmy Otter (52*) – featuring an all run four – guided Greenwood to maximum points as the visitors chased down 174-8 in 43.4 overs for the loss of just three wickets.

It hadn’t been the best of starts with the bat, Park finding themselves 60-3 after 18.1 overs, with Vishal Pujari (7), Chris Kent (10) and Shafaat Hussain (6) all gone early.

But Gray, who was dropped on 0 and 2, cashed in on his chances, bagging his second 50 of the year and going past 400 league runs in the process.

He and Otter – who returned to form exactly when his side needed it most with his first league half century of the season – played with great responsibility and composure, as the pair manipulated the Old Cholms attack and eventually ran out comfortable winners.

Having been asked to field first up, Park had to start with only nine due to travel disruptions, but they still managed to take an early wicket, Pujari bowling Halstead for two.

Yet, it wasn’t to be plain sailing for the visitors. A 65 and 34 run partnership for the second and third wicket meant Old Cholms were well set at 102-3 at the 30 over stage.

But Park bounced back with S. Hussain taking 1-15 from 10 and Ajmal Hussain collecting 2-30 from 10, including an astonishing caught and bowled, as they swung the momentum towards their side.

There were also wickets for Arslan Khan (1-35) and Stu Dempsey (2-45) as Park found themselves just ahead of the game at the half way stage – as the hosts posted 174-8 in 50 overs.

It was then over to the batsmen and, despite the early dismissals, Greenwood’s chase was excellently executed as they collected all 30 points in 43.4 overs.