WISTASTON Village avoided the bad weather which decimated the weekend's cricket programme to notch a thrilling one-run victory at Norbury.

The Cheshire Alliance outfit were one of a small handful of clubs to complete a match as the rain poured on Saturday, but there was plenty of excitement to go round.

Batting first, the Villagers posted 154-8dec from 37 overs with John Scott (40), Paul Owen (28), Gareth Barnes (28) all contributing.

In reply, Norbury found Wistaston's bowling restrictive, except for S Gibson (97 not out) who put on a one-man crusade to get his team to the edge of victory.

He hit the last ball of the match for what seemed a certain four, until it struck Danny Townsend on the knee and ricocheted to skipper Bamber, who arrowed the ball 40 yards and broke the stumps for a run-out.

It left the hosts all out on 153. For Wistaston, Julian Cotton returned 5-73, with Chris Trahair 2-25 and Steve Collins 2-46 in support.

In the Pipemaster League Division Two, professional Sohail Tanvir notched his second hat-trick of the season as Haslington managed a draw at Whit-more.

Fielding first, Haslington's Dave Moreton had already claimed a wicket when Dean Bedson secured the vital removal of Paul Shaw (27).

Tanvir (4-12) was brought into the action and took four wickets in 10 balls, while Moreton (4-57) took another three wickets, leaving the hosts 163 all out.

Rain meant further play was impossible until 7.20pm, leaving Haslington 16 overs to reach the total. Tanvir was out early, but Bedson and Chris Henderson kept up with the required run rate, putting on 75 in just five overs.

Having just hit professional Abdul Aqeel for 30 off one over, Henderson was out to Danny Hancock for 41 from 16 balls, but rain stopped play for good, with the visitors on 80-2.

Weston drew with visitors Newcastle and Hartshill. Saad Wasim (77) was in top form as they posted 150-9 after batting first, and Newcastle replied with 123-3.

In Division One, Nick Lange (37 not out) and Naveed Ashraf (22no) looked in charge for Crewe at 65-1 when their game with Rode Park was abandoned.

Darren Snape (42) and Neil Harrison (46no) looked on song for Betley before the game at Cheadle was ruined, while Stafford were at 6-1 when their game at Elworth was stopped.

In the CD Bramall Trucks Cheshire League, Nantwich had taken charge of their ECB Premier League clash with Birkenhead Park. Skipper Chris Hampshire had taken 2-8 when play was stopped. In Division One, Alsager were struggling at 35-3 at Chester Boughton Hall when the weather intervened.

No play was possible in the Meller Braggins League.

* The Cheshire U21 Cup Final, between Nantwich and Birken-head Park, will take place at Whitehouse Lane on Sunday (1pm). Admission is free.

* A Twenty20 competition will take place at Nantwich's White-house Lane ground on Monday (28th).

The Bank Holiday event will see Longton Lightning, Audley Spice and Nantwich Cavaliers contesting the Shires Shield, in a round-robin tournament from 9.30am.

A licensed bar and a barbecue will be on hand to refresh onlookers. Entry is £1, with children getting in free when accompanied by an adult.