CHOLMONDELEY missed a chance to get back in the title race when they lost by 16 runs to Alvanley.

The Division One side have fallen off the pace lately and languish in mid-table.

Saturday's visit of struggling Alvanley represented a real opportunity to get back in the hunt, but they could not seize it, despite restricting their opponents to 122-9 as they batted first in a rain-affected match.

Neil Thompson (4-22), Guy Ford (2-31), Rich Cooke (2-22) and Ed Middleton (1-27) all contributed. But Cholmondeley could not make it pay, and were all out for 106.

In Division Three, WISTASTON VILL AG E suffered an eight-wicket defeat against Offerton.

Batting first at the Brittles, Wistaston were routed for an embarrassing 32 against the combination of the bowling of M Hudson (5-18), D Hughes (2-6) and N Jefferys (2-8). Top scorer for Wistaston was Steve Barnes with eight. Offerton hit off the runs for the loss of two wickets.

Wistaston 2nds earned a hard-fought draw at Offerton, who batted first and posted 140-8 (Richard Barlow 4-24, Tom Barlow 3-46). Wistaston replied with 137-7 (M Walsh 30, S Heaton 32).

On Sunday, Wistaston were at Bunbury, who batted first and made 162-9 (Kevin Jobbins 2-31, John Avery 2-49). Wistaston replied with 112ao (Stuart Barnes 24, Chris Jobbins 23).

In the Cheshire Alliance, ASTON we re the only Division One club in action after the rain ruined games involving BUN -BU RY , HOLMES CHAPEL and SANDBACH.

But Aston lost by eight wickets at Woodford, after being bowled out for 79.

In Division Three, on form HASLINGTON made it five consecutive victories.

Mossley were the latest team to suffer, as they went down by seven wickets. The evergreen Miles Machin (4-26) and Richard Brown (4-39) excelled as the hosts were dismissed for 118.

Haslington cruised to victory with 119-3 in less than 16 overs, thanks to a quick-fire 57no from Jonnie Phipps and Jim Malkin (34).

AUDLEM's game at Ellesmere Port 2nds was cancelled.

In Division Five, Haslington 2nds came out on top in a low-scoring affair against Capenhurst 2nds at Clay Lane. The hosts were all out for 70, but Ed Razzall returned 8-30 as Capenhurst were skittled for 40.

CHESHIRE are preparing to face Berkshire at the Memorial Ground, Finchampstead Park, on Sunday after Andy Hall and Danny Leech rewrote the re-cord books in last week's victory over last year's Minor Counties champions Devon.

Captain fantastic Hall (177) and opener Danny Leech (119) shared in a recordbreaking stand of 287 as the home county triumphed in emphatic fashion in their first three-day match of the season, at Chester Boughton Hall.

It ended their opponents' eight-game unbeaten run stretching back to last season. Scores: Devon 405-9 & 118 Cheshire & 233 & 291-1.

No South Cheshire clubs were in action in the Phoenix 15 Midweek League due to the bad weather.