CHESTER Boughton Hall's second, third and fourth teams were unable to lift the gloom of the first team's defeat at Christleton.

For the first time this year, all four of the Hall's teams ended up losing!

The seconds may still be close to the top of the league, but they certainly did not bat like it at home to Timperley.

Although the wicket looked as if it might favour the bowlers, Jonty Hegecoe trusted his batsmen on winning the toss. The problem lay in the tendency of the Chester batsmen to get themselves out playing unnecessarily attacking shots.

Eight of the 10 dismissals were self-induced as Chester slipped to 84ao.

Chester's bowling and fielding was excellent, but Timperley were well capable of reaching the required target of 85, which they duly delivered in the 30th over for the loss of three wickets. The only positive point was the display of debutant Adrian Anderson, the Australian taking 2-29.

Chester thirds had a key home game against Brooklands but only a few were able to master the opposing attack. Ed Mitchell scored 30, while fellow Yorkshireman Doug Ramsay hit a more attacking 32 as Chester reached 135ao. In reply, Brooklands made short work of the total, reaching their target for the loss of only two wickets.

Chester fourths lost by nine wickets at Birken-head Park after collapsing to 117ao (Cliff Mallows 28, Jim Hawkley 22).

The home team were never in trouble, overtaking the target in the 28th over, despite Luke Rowlands crowning a creditable display with good bowling.

A strong Christleton seconds team made the long trip to Cheadle but were forced to come away with a draw. Cheadle batted first and got off to an excellent start, racing to 100-0 off just 16 overs. Some undisciplined bowling and below par fielding helped the hosts along before Brain Wareing (2-51) and Richard Morgan-Jones (1-48 off 15 overs) put a stem on the run rate. Dave Grahame came back to pick up a wicket as Cheadle declared on 244-6.

Christleton were on the ropes straightaway, losing a quick wicket early on. Ian Rule (37) and Chris Hollindale got Christleton on to a steady run rate again, Hollindale looking in fine form before being caught at mid-wicket for 24. A big knock from one of the top five was needed to hold the innings together but was unfortunately not to be seen. Chris Brooks and Dave Graham (46) were the mainstays but by then victory was out of reach, Brooks reaching 50no off the last ball thanks to skipper Wareing running a four with him.

Christleton thirds were rained off after 25 overs at Brooklands in a top-of-the-table clash.

Chester County Officers dominated at Woodford but were unable to finish off their opponents.

Chester openers Steve Holland (72) and Alan Roberts (47) put on 99 runs in 20 overs.

Suffering a slight stutter at 150-4, Chester's middle order batsmen Chris Wright (41) and Mike Barker (35no) regrouped to help their team post an impressive 242-7dec in 46 overs.

Chester's bowlers immediately had Woodford in trouble as both Paul Hickey (1-43) and Mike Barrow (1-26) struck early.

Woodford recovered with Ian Simpson (38) counter-attacking before falling victim to Declan Hickey, who bowled with no luck in claiming 1-58.

Chester worked their way further down the Woodford batting line up thanks to the spin of Dave Wood (2-47) and a fine spell from youngster Dave Johnson (2-8), but with a number of sharp yet catchable chances going down, their opportunity to bowl Woodford out gradually fell away.

Woodford number four Greg Bloomfield made the most of some missed catches and very attacking field settings to reach his 100 in the last over of the game, enabling Woodford to hold out for a draw.

Alvanley lost again at Ashton on Mersey who scored 209-6 and then dismissed Alvanley for 93. The only significant contributors were Chris Jones and Mike Sant with two wickets each and Jol Faria who scored 35.

Oulton Park's title chase faltered at Heaton Mersey where they were bowled out for 154 (Jimmy Guest 21, Steve Wright 20). The home side scored 155-4 (Craig Williamson 2-30). nMalpas went down at home to Offerton. They batted first and set 134, Alex Hargreaves (30) and Dennis Smith (27) their top-scorers.

But Offerton took just 23 overs to canter to 135-1.