CHESTER County Officers had mixed fortunes in their weekend double header against Castrol as they lost Saturday's league encounter but won Sunday's Knockout Cup semi-final.

Castrol must have been satisfied with their 200-7 after winning Sunday's toss, with King hitting 60 in a repeat of last year's final.

But they had a shock in store as holders Officers roared back to clinch a nine-wickets victory in the 38th over to earn another final against Stretton or Wistaston.

A magnificent opening stand of 197 inspired Chester to victory. Tony Hattersley hit an unbeaten 104 and Ian Barlow supported superbly with 87.

On Saturday, Castrol elected to bat and closed on 181-9 from their 48 overs.

In reply, Chester CO had made 29 when Hattersley (9) guided a delivery from Garratt (1-29) straight to the gully, where Tidman completed the catch.

Ian Barlow (61) upped the run rate with Clarke (22), but when further wickets fell, victory was out of the question for Chester.

In the final over, the lure of an extra batting point for Gilbody proved too great as, after playing defensively for five deliveries, he swung across the line and was castled by Garvey last ball as County Officers were bowled out for 148.

Saughall drew their league encounter with Mossley who closed on 185-8. Saughall needed to score over four runs an over in their 42 overs and forged a steady, if not spectacular, opening partnership of 45 before Ben Salisbury misread the slower ball and was bowled for 24.

Given the lack of scoring opportunities, it was perhaps inevitable that when some did come along, the batsmen would then get themselves out. Richard Tomlinson (11) and James Huxley (18) both top-edged short balls that were begging to be dispatched for four and Saughall's reply was faltering at 64-3 with the required run-rate creeping up all the time.

Chris Andrews was looking in prime form though with a flurry of boundaries, but wickets continued to tumble at the other end. Andy Thomas and last week's hero with the bat, Mike Andrews, were both dismissed for one and when Chris Andrews was trapped in front shortly afterwards for 31, Saughall were 108-6 and requiring eight runs an over to reach their lofty target.

With the win out of reach, Saughall's main priority was attaining further batting points. Fun and games ensued with three huge sixes and two lost cricket balls in one over, courtesy of the meaty bat of Mike Rowson (28no).

Les Perkins made 12 before he was caught off the final ball of the innings, and Saughall finished on 145-7 to pick up seven points for their efforts.

Kingsley held out for a draw on a miserable day at Ellesmere Port. On a pitch that was virtually indistinguishable from the rest of the square, Port's upper-order batsmen rode their luck early on and took advantage of some wayward bowling and poor fielding to post a commanding 227-5.

With the early loss of both openers and Kingsley's entire middle order unavailable, any chance of victory was extinguished when skipper Ollier was caught at mid-wicket for a rapid 38.

Against all the odds though, Coleman and Rouse showed great tenacity in taking the score to 102-8 and preventing Port from gaining a much-needed win.

Two wickets off the last two balls of the game from Lee Lightfoot and an unbeaten partnership of 155 ensured Kingsley seconds took maximum points against Ellesmere Port at the Croft.