CHESTER County Officers fell foul of Chelford's Australian duo as Matt Shiells (73) and Paul Weston (31) scored the majority of the visitors' runs.

Two missed catches and the dismissal of Shiells off a no-ball when on 30 did not help. Steve Jackson was most successful with a splendid return of 6-35 in nine overs, while Andy Barlow was unlucky to take only one wicket in a spell of 17 overs.

Chester then had to contend with Shiells the bowler as he returned 4-25 in 17 overs. The Chester batsmen could only put up bits and pieces through Tony Collard (13), Tony Hattersley (12) and Steve Johnson (13). When John Gilbody was run out for 27, the writing was on the wall and the innings was wrapped up for a disappointing 103.

The second string had more luck after batting first and notching a good score in 40 overs. Skipper Alan Roberts led the way with 61, followed by Geoff Stubbins with 31, Chris Wright 21 and Steve Holland 24.

It took 39 overs to wheedle out Chelford, with Mike Barrow the best with 3-26. This 15 points keeps Chester within reach of leaders Northwich.

Officers' hopes of a second successive Alliance Cup victory were dashed when Wistaston snatched victory at the last moment with an eighth-wicket partnership of 30.

Paul Owen starred for CCO, scoring 47, and Tony Hattersley opened with 31 in a challenging total of 150-6 on a bog of a wicket. All the bowlers performed well but it was not to be Chester's day, and second division leaders Wistaston made it 12 wins in a row by three wickets.

In their second encounter this season, Kingsley again got the worst of a draw against promotion seekers Radbroke Hall. In usual Kingsley style, Radbroke were inserted on a wet wicket and played the conditions well to declare on 181-8. Roy (94) and Sinha (36) contributed most of the runs as Matty Ollier took another three wickets late on in the innings.

The holiday season once more robbed Kingsley of key players and they never looked like getting the required runs as they limped to 113-6.

John Elliott, contributing a dogged 28, and Jonny Ollier, in his last game before getting married, made sure of the draw with an equally determined 25no.

Kingsley are still not safe from relegation and need another couple of victories from the remaining five matches to ensure safety.

Ellesmere Port went down at Langley who made 125-9 (Park 5-48) before the Port were bowled out for 99 with Parkin hitting 32.

At Bunbury, visitors Glazebury won by 19 runs. They were bowled out for 161 and then sent the hosts back for 142 (Hurley 37, Cooke 34).

Audlem were bowled for just 57 at Frodsham, Large taking 4-8, and Frodsham went on to win by six wickets with Houghton unbeaten on 31. Saughall's game with Mossley was abandoned.