HAVING clawed their way off the foot of the Premier Division table on Saturday, Christleton face a crucial away fixture tomorrow.

Matt Parkinson's side travel to Bramhall, who are the only side below them.

Christleton moved off the foot of the table thanks to the 11 points they gained from a gritty draw at Toft.

Skipper Parkinson lost the toss and Toft chose to have first use of the surface.

The hosts went on to post 245-9 declared, thanks in part to a century partnership from Ashwin Punja (64) and Adam Carolan (62).

Paul Allen and Darron Cruikshank opened the bowling and kept things tight early on, but the star for Christleton was spinner Guy Newell (6-80).

In reply, Newell (44) and Rik Moore (35) made steadying contributions but wickets soon fell so it was left to Scott Graves and Parkinson to bat out the last nail-biting six overs and secure the draw at 198-9.

For the second week in a row, CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL took a match to the wire and should have got more out it.

Travelling to lowly Widnes after a week's poor weather, there seemed little chance of play - but somehow the game went ahead, albeit reduced to 49 overs played on a damp pitch.

Chester were put into bat and made slow progress, scoring just 18 runs in the first hour.

The visitors looked in deep trouble at 33-6, but George Robinson (21) and number eight Dave Atkin (38) dug deep to help Boughton Hall to 103 all out.

Chester came close to pulling off what would have been an amazing turnaround as bowlers Alex Kegg (4-42) and Roger Smith (4-44) bowled well to reduce Widnes to 83-8.

Widnes were left with their last pair at the wicket needing to score 11 runs for the victory, and they duly obliged as Chester ran out of steam.

Taking advantage of the three leading clubs being rained off, NESTON leapfrogged to the top of the table.

Well-led by Stan Clifford, the Parkgate men now enjoy a four-point advantage after registering an impressive seven-wicket win at Nantwich.

The hosts were dismissed cheaply for 128, 16-year-old Birkenhead School pupil Andrew Clarke taking 3-43 and wicket-keeper Andy Roberts claiming four victims.

Chris Hackett then hit a rapid 72no as Neston responded with 129-3 in just 29 overs.

* Oulton Park's clash with Hyde was off because of a waterlogged pitch.