A DEPLETED Alvanley side launched a late fightback to secure a remarkable victory at Runcorn in Division One on Saturday.

The hosts made a solid start to their innings with Andy Booth hitting a polished 68.

However, Phil Jones' persistence with the ball paid off as he claimed 6-108 to leave Runcorn on 199-8 from their allotted overs.

In reply, Alvanley made a disappointing start with both Andy Bennion and Mark Szymura making the long walk back to the pavilion without troubling the scorecard.

The visitors continued to lose wickets at regular intervals and they looked set for a disappointing defeat as they went into the last three overs 36 runs behind having lost eight wickets.

But Glenn Pickersgill had other ideas and he completed a well-earned century - chipping in with three sixes - and snatched victory with just three balls to spare.

TATTENHALL were forced to settle for a winning draw when they entertained Wilmslow at the Flacca.

The hosts lost the toss and were put into bat on an unpredictable wicket.

Ahmad (60) and Alexander (64) forged the backbone of the innings with impressive knocks that enabled them to declare on 212-6.

The visitors responded with a defensive display with the bat and, despite the best efforts of debutant Tom Green and Mike Alexander, Tattenhall could not complete the job and were held to a frustrating draw.

CHOLMONDELEY drew at Marple. The hosts were first to bat and set a tough target when they declared on 220-6.

But Chums dug in and despite a number of close calls they held on for the draw on 143-9.

In Division Two, BARROW powered to a superb nine-wicket triumph at Pott Shrigley.

The hosts were trying to protect an impressive home record but Barrow made a mockery of Shrigley's form as they bowled them all out for 151.

In reply, openers Nick Bell (30) and Gareth Pawlett (100) led the charge towards victory as Barrow banished any lingering fears of relegation by clinching the win on 153-1.

In Division Three, CASTROL'S slim hopes of making a late bid for promotion were undone by an all too familiar batting collapse at Northwich.

The Oilmen looked on course for victory after dismissing the hosts for 112 (Martin Flanagan 4-33, Mike Garvey 4-20) but they lost their way with the bat and slumped to a seven-run defeat.

Darren Green (21) and Mike Garvey (18) were Castrol's main scorers as they were all out for 105.