CREWE tumbled towards the Division One drop zone after a disappointing reverse at Leycett on Saturday.

They are now third from bottom after a recent downturn in results was compounded by taking just six points at the weekend.

Crewe won the toss and put Leycett in to bat on a damp, green wicket. Despite Chris Lange and Imran Khalid taking early wickets, Leycett reached 60-2 after nine overs.

But when Lange removed young Derbyshire star Dan Redfern (40), the run rate fell sharply. Scoring proved difficult with only professionals Sumitt Panda (22) and Tas Hussain (33) inflicting damage.

Lange bowled a marathon spell of 23 overs and returned 4-51, in addition to a catch and a run-out. Khalid took 4-54.

Crewe had 48 overs to score the 156 needed, but lost openers Mark Hurst (0) and Mark Spencer (0) within the first three overs.

Six lbw decisions did not help the Crewe batsmen to get established at the crease, and only four players reached double figures. Bernie Bishop (24) and skipper Mike Holt (23) fared the best, but Crewe were eventually all out for 93.

ELWORTH kept up their challenge with a 20-point win over Cheadle, who were all out for 92.

Murray Ranger ripped through the Cheadle order, claiming 6-26. Paul Crompton (2-35) struck a decisive blow to remove Imran Jawaid (9).

In the Foxes reply, Pete Davies took a nasty blow on his left hand but stayed put to hit six boundaries in his 33, while Lee Morris earned a well-deserved maiden 50, including seven boundaries and two huge sixes in his 57, as Elworth won with 94-0.

Elworth were knocked out of the Cheshire Plate on Sunday, managing just 157 (Tarek Alam 45) in reply to Heaton Mersey's 174.

In Division Two, BETLEY cr ushed hosts Silverdale, after batting first and posting 172-8 (J Austen 47). In reply, the hosts were 50ao (Gagandeep Singh 5-14, Darren Snape 5-34).

Battling WESTON kept up their relegation fight with a fine win over Meakins, after batting first and posting 244-4(dec) (Raj Kumar 103no, Hassan Haleem 40). The visitors were 116ao in reply (Haleem 5-41).

* Second team scores - Division One: Crewe 178-9 (M Page 75no) Leycett 175-7 (J Mayor 57). Division Two: Meakins 57ao (I Sandland 4-28, P Washington 5-18) Weston 57ao.

* Weston CC will host the Cheshire U16s v Staffordshire U16s clash at their Main Road ground on Monday, July 16 (11.30am). All spectators are welcome.