SOUTH African all-rounder Ian Mitchell hit a superb debut century to help El-worth to a 76-run victory in their derby duel with Crewe.
Batting first on the London Road track, Elworth amassed a challenging total of 228-7 with Mitchell making 113. He found strong support from Pete Davies, who added a useful 47 in a second-wicket stand of 99.
Matt Dawson dismissed the dangerous Dave Palin and Rob Beech and the game was evenly poised at 131-4 before Mitchell cut loose.
He went on to complete his century before being bowled by Dawson, who claimed 4-58.
Without their own professional for the second week running, the total proved a tall order for the young Crewe batting line-up but openers Nick Bentley (35) and Mark Hurst (15) put on a quickfire 47 to give them hope, with Bentley cracking eight boundaries in an entertaining knock.
But despite useful innings from Tom Gower (29) and Neil Webb (19), no-one was able to play the big innings needed and although captain Richard Marsh and Mike Holt put on 24 for the last wicket, Crewe were bowled out for 152.
Mitchell completed a fine all-round performance by taking 4-51 and spinner Jim Higgins bowled beau-tifully on his return from a serious back injury to collect 4-17 as Elworth claimed 25 points to Crewe's seven.
Haslington were unable to build on their openingday win at Rode Park as they crashed to an eight-wicket home defeat at the hands of Kidsgrove.
The Clay Lane side were skittled for just 57 as G Rowe snaffled 6-20 before Kidsgrove knocked off the runs.
In the ECB Premier Division, Betley held out for a draw for the second successive week, this time at Stone.
The hosts posted 189-5 with Phil Cheadle making 52 and although professional Mohammed Hussain collected 6-41 in Betley's reply, they survived on 146-9 to take five points to their hosts' nine.
Second-team scores - Premier Division: Betley 123-7 (S Ankers 49no, C Holmes 30) Stone 122ao (S Reynolds 5-22, D Lowe 3-17, including a hat-trick). Division One: Crewe 89ao (B Bishop 43; S Elliott 5-27, R Jones 3-20), Kidsgrove 82-2, Haslington 79ao.
