DIVISION Three leaders Bunbury fell to a heartbreaking two-run defeat at lowly Groves on Saturday.

Batting privileges went to the home side in Saturday’s nail-biting clash and Groves scored an eminently beatable 124ao.

Dave Roberts claimed 6-36 and Robin Williams chalked up 3-32 to put Bunbury on top.

But the promotion favourites were left struggling on 21-4 after a terrible start.

Gareth Johnson (46no) and Owen Williamson (20) set about building a partnership to get them close to the small target.

In the end, Robin Williams and Johnson chipped away and got Bunbury so close to victory, only for Williams to edge a catch and give victory to the hosts, Bunburty finishing all out for 122.

CHESTER COUNTY OFFICERS closed the gap on the top by beating Alderley Park by six wickets.

On a green, wet track, visiting CCO opted to field and it paid off, veteran pairing Steve Johnson and Mike Clarke putting pressure on the batsmen, Johnson pocketing 2-32 and Clarke 4-37.

Park finished on an inadequate 80-8 but CCO took nothing for granted, especially when they got a poor start and found themselves 16-3.

Mike Jones came in to steady the ship with opener James Blaxall. The pair took the score to 78 before Blaxall (55) succumbed to the spin of Shankar, sending the ball back to the bowler.

Roger Watt added two runs to bring the scores level before Jones (21no) smashed a six over mid-wicket for Chester to claim a 20-point victory with 20 overs to spare making 86-4.

In Division Two, KINGSLEY suffered an embarrassing defeat at Romily.

Batting first Kingsley’s response was poor as they were bowled out for 65 with extras top scoring on 18.

After tea Kingsley’s bowlers offered similarly disappointing returns.

They landed the ball in the right place often but there was not enough variation to ever build any pressure.

As a result Romily romped to victory without losing a wicket and Kingsley, thanks to their low score with the bat, emerged with not a single bonus point from the match.

BARROW lost by three wickets to Lindow after scoring 168ao. Lindow made 170-7.

CHOLMONDELEY were not tough enough with visiting Winnington Park as they allowed their guests to score 208-8 (A Ranjan 7-72).

Chum then collapsed to 150ao (Sam Robinson 54)