NORTHWICH, who performed abjectly the previous day, were a knockout on Sunday.
They beat Chester County Officers to reach the League Cup semi-finals.
Needing five to win off the last over with two wickets remaining, CCO came up against Scott Hayes, who bowled the ninth bat and ran out the last man as he tried to scramble a single.
Northwich had only managed 113 themselves and knocks from Nigel Mears (29) and Dean Kendrick (32no) were to prove critical. CCO were bowled out for 109 (Matt Lightburn 3-21, Kendrick 3-19).
But Northwich could barely raise a smile 24 hours earlier as they lost to Sandbach by 170 runs.
Ant Shaw took 4-65 and Jim Kimber 3-87, but Sandbach piled up 232 while Northwich slumped from 23-1 to 29-7 and surrendered at 62.
Northwich 2nds showed how to respond against a big total.
Sandbach scored 200-6 (Matt Lightburn 4-74) but Northwich set off in dogged pursuit via Steve Oldham and Ed Smithson (both 32), Steve Riley (27), Scott Hayes (20) and Glinoj Cherian (33), hitting 202-6.
Mark Wrench was the 3rds' man-of-the-match.
He hit a destructive 78 and then took 4-2. Northwich scored 231-5 (Rob Newton 43, Oliver Steriopolos 33) and then bowled out Capenhurst for 86, with Mark Minton taking four wickets and Lewis Hayes and Steriopolos one apiece.
HARTFORD continued to move up on the promotion rails, bowling out Glazebury for 135 (Nick Passey 4-52) and then striding to 136-3. Ron Whittle (67) was the batsman in form.
