CHRISTLETON’S wait for a maiden Division One victory came to an end after a close battle with Irby on Saturday.

The Little Heath hosts, without a win in their opening three matches, were victorious by two wickets.

Irby batted first and were dispatched for 159, Paul Allen (4-37) and Iroshan de Silva (3-22) doing most of the damage.

Steve Hurworth top-scored with 43 for Irby.

In reply, Christleton reached a winning 162-8 in 48 overs. Their top-scorer was Jerry Creek with 45 runs.

In the Premier Division, CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL’S Jekyll and Hyde form continued as they lost to Bramhall by 89 runs at Filkins Lane.

Most were surprised when Bramhall skipper Matt Dawson won the toss and chose to bat on a dank and cold day.

His side struggled to move the score on at any great pace but a second-wicket stand worth 78 helped the visitors to a reasonable 201 (Kieran O’Connor 85, Alex Kegg 4-55, Maroof Khan 3-36, Jack Williams 2-32).

Chester, fresh from back-to-back wins, simply failed to apply themselves as they set about their total.

Apart from Steve Ogilby’s fine 59 and a decent 16 from Eddie Roberts, the hosts crumbled. John Birchall took 7-26 as Boughton Hall were stopped on 112.

Reigning champions OULTON PARK were toppled at Little Budworth by Alderley Edge, who claimed a 133-run victory. The hosts were strangely off colour with bat and ball on a day dominated by Alderley after the loss of eight overs to rain.

Two 90-plus partnerships between Mark Currie (60) and Alan Day (50), then Andy Worrall (54no) and Jason Whittaker (48no), carried Alderley to an above-par declaration tally of 255-4.

Just for once, the powerful OultonPark batting failed and they never recovered from 25-4, going on to close at 122, Ben Gough top-scoring with 25, with 15 overs to spare. Now the division’s only unbeaten team, Alderley bowled with accuracy and fire, especially Richard Wilkinson (5-51).

This upset let in NESTON to take the league lead with a two-wicket win at Urmston, achieved with nine balls to spare.

Urmston reached 227-9 led by skipper Chris Watson 52, James Hawley taking 4-54 and Jordan Free 3-40. Jack Smith was again in superb form for the Parkgate men, leading the way in a reply of 229-8 with a polished 96.

In Division Two, TATTENHALL lost by nine wickets at Birkenhead Park. Tatts were bustled out for 93, after which Park won with 94-1.