NORTHWICH pressed the self-destruct button on Saturday to throw their title aspirations into serious jeopardy, but season-long Division Two lead-ers HARTFORD are now guaranteed promotion.

A dismal batting performance saw Northwich collapse to 32-6 and then 94ao when they were chasing only 150-9 at Ellesmere Port.

They had seemingly done the hard part through Steve Riley (1-21 off 16 overs) and Lee Evans (4-28) but must now win their remaining two games to keep their dream of Cheshire League cricket alive.

But Northwich 2nds got within touching distance of their third successive title in Division A.

Scott Hayes took 3-34 and Ashley Sefton 2-21, with Ellesmere Port restricted to 162-6.

Despite top run scorer Martyn East falling in the second over, Northwich's young batsmen made light of the run chase. All of the top five are teenagers and were led by Sammy Naylor's fourth half-century of the season. Captain for the day Nigel Goolding hit 26, Paul Alcock 20 and it was left to Sefton (24no) and 13-year-old Chris Yearsley (38no) to bring about at early finish at 166-4.

HARTFORD are on the up after a four-wicket victory over Frodsham at Grange Park.

The visitors needed a maximum-points victory to keep their own hopes of promotion alive but were never allowed to get any momentum in their innings as Hartford kept a tight grip on proceedings.

Brian Harkin was his usual persistent self, bowling superbly to take 7-36 in 24 overs as Frodsham were bowled out for 114. The total should never have been in doubt but the early order stuttered to 28-3, with Martin Pickup also forced to retire hurt. That brought together Shaun Forrest and Rob Whittle, who steadied the ship and took the total to 80 before Whittle was caught for 21.

A few more jitters along the way saw the loss of a couple more wickets, but Forrest stood tall to see the team home and hit the winning boundary to finish on 30no.