WINNINGTON Park visited Chester Boughton Hall in a game that was important for both sides - and came out on the wrong end of a 33-run defeat.
Chester got off to a good start with Aussie Keith Pritchard hitting the ball well. Jim Pilling broke the deadlock but, with runs looking easy for Chester, good fielding from Winnington saw them hold what few chances came their way. Pritchard finally fell to Jamie Cowell for 114 and, with Ducker hitting a quick-fire 69, Chester declared on 248-7 from 44 overs, Stuart Hayes picking up three wickets and Cowell a brace.
The visitors were confident of getting the score in the 56 overs remaining in the game and got off to a steady start before losing three quick wickets - a major setback in a game where Park knew a win would kick-start their season.
Aiden Baker looked in fine form again and completed a stunning century as partners fell around him. But when he was caught in the deep it was curtains for Park as they were bowled out for 215 in a game where, for the first time this season, they has competed for all of the game.
Captain Hayes was much happier with the performance and said: 'We were in a position to win the game - unfortunately it is a while since we have won and sometimes you lack that little bit of self-belief that you need.'
Park travel to top side Poynton on Saturday.
Birkenhead Park 159 Oulton Park 160-2
OULTON Park cantered to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over promoted Birkenhead Park to move into second place behind Hyde.
Birkenhead got off to a good start thanks to a 48-run partnership before Ben Spendlove (2-11) made the breakthrough. But it was Robin Taylor (3-33) and Nathan Dumelow (4-49) who restricted the home side to 159.
Despite Chris Leech (10) going with the score at 13, Chris Bassano (66 not out), Spendlove (40) and Dumelow (43 not out) saw Oulton home.
The 2nds lost a thrilling game to Warrington with a ball to spare. Oulton Park posted 243-8, Steve Yates hitting 66, but the visitors came home for the loss of six wickets.
The 1st team travel to Bramhall on Saturday.
Middlewich 216-7 Brooklands 149-7
MIDDLEWICH responded to a disappointing performance last week to record a winning draw against basement boys Brooklands.
Middlewich won the toss and batted on another great track - though three of the top four batsmen contributed just one run between them to leave the home side struggling at 17-3.
A rejuvenated Martin Dawson found life easy and dispatched the Brooklands bowlers to all parts of the ground, and a partnership of 89 with in-form opener Andrew Cole (34) put Middlewich in a more comfortable position.
Dawson finally fell with the score on 136, having smashed a personal best for Middlewich of 81.
But the fireworks continued as Middlewich's middle order set about posting a reasonable total.
First Chris Broomfield began to up the tempo with a quick-fire 27, before Nick Gill, in his first appearance of the season, struck a remarkable 51 not out in only 25 balls, bringing up his 50 with three huge sixes, as the home side posted 216-7 - including 59 in the last five overs alone.
Brooklands, who appeared low in confidence, began strongly, reaching 22 before the first wicket fell to Stu Price who claimed a second wicket shortly after, by which time Brooklands decided to shut up shop.
Brooklands showed no intention of overhauling Middlewich's total. Some rather inventive bowling tried to coax the batsmen into playing shots but Brooklands held on to reach 149-7 in their 50 overs.
Price finished with 2-22, Phil Parry's return from holiday brought him 2-26 and Phil Davies chipped in with 2-19.
