ALVANLEY extended their stunning start to the Meller Braggins League season with a crushing eight-wicket triumph at Trafford on Saturday.

The table-topping visitors, who lead Division One, lost the toss but were happy to bowl on a patchy wicket. Ed Speakman hit good areas and found a hint of movement, but it was Nick Geddis who got the initial breakthrough.

At 33-3, a counter-attack got Trafford back into the game until Rob Fisher found an edge which was taken at slip by Andy Bennion.

The Trafford line-up were unable to cope with Dave Shewring and Fisher and subsided to 104ao (Fisher 4-16).

Unbeaten Alvanley made short work of the target. Mark Szymura and Bennion put on 63 before Szymura was adjudged lbw for 23.

The game was over when Jack Yates hit a towering six from the only delivery he faced to take Alvanley to 109-2 (Bennion 48no).

OAKMERE beat Runcorn by three wickets.

Runcorn scored 182-7 (Michael Cushion 4-43) before Oakmere made 186-7 (Callum Rigby 54).

In Division Two, BARROW fell to a six-wicket loss at Romiley.

Barrow batted first on a damp wicket and set 131-8, recovering from 12-3 thanks to the batting of Mal Barrow (40) and Phil Noble (34).

Romiley had little trouble in reaching their target, making 135-4 in reply.

KINGSLEY failed to record successive victories for the first time this season, despite amassing 241 from their first innings at Woodford.

Travis Martin batted beautifully for his 93no and was well supported by skipper Kieron Ollier, who scored 50.

In reply, Woodford started to steadily lose wickets, Peter Pearce taking 5-80.

However, Kingsley’s fielding let them down and Woodford earned a draw with 209-8.

CHOLMONDELEY were bowled out for 152 as Aston defeated them by six wickets, making 153-4.

In Division Three, CHESTER COUNTY OFFICERS hung on for a draw at Pott Shrigley.

Pott scored 228-6dec, bowlers Graham Dodd taking 2-13 and Mike Roberts 3-13. But Pott batted strongly and CCO were hit by the retirement of bowler Mike Clarke with a blood injury.

After the break, CCO saw Ian Rule (34), Chris Wright (50) and Mike Jones (52no) make a good effort to chase the total. But they ran out of overs and closed on 176-6.

BUNBURY bowled Bowdon Vale out for 101 before winning with 102-1.