A BATTING collapse consigned Malpas to a 28-run defeat against Bredbury St Mark’s at the Oxhayes ground on Saturday.
Chasing 180 for a much-needed victory off 46 overs, Malpas looked well placed at 148-4 with eight overs remaining.
However, the return to the Bredbury attack of opening bowler Chris Wood put paid to Malpas hopes.
In a stunning spell lasting 15 balls and with the aid of some poor batting, Wood took five wickets for three runs to finish with 5-21 to enhance Bredbury’s promotion push.
Earlier in the day it was Malpas who were looking the likely winners, having reduced the visitors to 28-4 and then 98-7 via some fine bowling, notably from Mark Goldsmith (3-45) and Maneesha Ayomal (3-36).
Bredbury’s tail-enders lingered and took the gamble to bat on after 50 overs, reaching 179 all out off 54 overs. Dave Hunt finished with 3-40.
Malpas made a steady start in reply. Opening batsman Keith Rickett scored 30 and Jon Suckley 46 but this was before the wheels came off.
Malpas gained only eight points and with all the teams immediately above them in the league winning, it looks a tall order to avoid relegation.
Elsewhere in Division Two, TATTENHALL narrowly lost to Stockport Georgians by seven runs. The home side ran up 161 ( Rob Mulvihill 4-35), while Tattenhall could only muster 154 (Tom Hyslop 55).
