DAVENHAM were cock-a-hoop after winning a place in the League Cup final - and then lost promotion ground in defeat at Runcorn in Division One.

Their attack lacked penetration, though the bowlers can point to dropped catches, all of which took Run-corn to 193-5, with Steve Warburton (3-54) again the pick of the bowlers.

Davenham needed a good start but did not get it, then they needed the middle order to score big but only Mark Greaves (37) performed well. Captain Phil Sharples (20no) held up the tail-end as long as he could but Davenham were beaten at 131ao.

Davenham had been all smiles on Thursday after beating Port Sunlight in the League Cup semi-finals.

Warburton (4-21 off 2.5 overs) and Ian Cwiklinksi, Dean Jackson and Dave Ashley, who each grabbed a brace, destroyed Sunlight for 97.

At 34-1, Davenham were behind the run rate at the halfway stage and at 59-3, the game looked as if it might go Sunlight's way. But in the 13th over, Dave Massey hit a six and a four off consecutive balls to give the initiative back to the home side - and starting the last over they needed seven runs to win. A couple of singles were forced and a comical overthrow was valuable as Davenham needed just three to match Port Sunlight's 97. But with four balls remaining, Dave Holden scored a boundary to seal the victory at 98-3.

Many of the same players tasted success in the Cheshire U21s Cup at the weekend when they beat Stockport Georgians, 127-7 (Cwiklinski 2-14, Warburton 2-25, Ashley 1-12). Cwiklinski (22no) completed a MoM performance while Ian Bartlett scored 20 and Greaves 32 in Davenham's 128-7.

Davenham's Cheshire Under 14s star Louis Bentley turned in another hugely promising performance, scoring an unbeaten 78 for the 2nds. Knutsford were bowled out for 116 by Andy Floyd (4-17) and Chris Latham (4-32) and Bentley dominated the Davenham innings of 119-2 (Ian Bartlett 25no).

OAKMERE cleared the 200 points mark at the top of Division Two and are nearly 40 points clear.

Chris Leech blasted 55, Paul Yearsley 36 and Paul Hutchinson 31 as Oakmere reached 193-6. They bowled out Lindow with four overs to go, Andy Beswick was helped to 4-45 by fine catches from Yearsley and Hutchinson.

The 2nds completed the double, bowling Lindow out our for 112 and winning by eight wickets. The first wicket did not fall until the 22nd over and then they went with a clatter to Mike Cushion (4-42) and Chris Nelson (3-16). Openers Ian Morgan (36) and Jamie Mackin (52) topped Oakmere's 115-2. James Tarpey (2-7), Ruth Willis (2-15) and Claire Lishman (33) were the stars for Crewe Ladies (86-4) against Oakmere Ladies (87-4).

WINSFORD were hoping for survival at best in a rain-effected draw at Bowdon Vale, who scored 156-8 dec. Winsford were 95-7 at a soggy close.

But the 2nds were victors in the reverse fixture at Knight's Grange.

They decided to bat first and lost wickets before Steve Brumby (22) and Steve Margerum (28) gave the innings a firmer look. Ben Ollier (24) and James Bland (45) added 48 before Winsford faded away to 163ao.

Bowdon Vale 2nd were dismissed for 140 thanks to a MoM spell of bowling from Gary Heffner (6-40).

Matt Morley took 7-63 and Christian Watkins held on to three huge catches, but it was all to no avail. Ashley were bowled out for 165 but rain ended things with BARNTON 20-2.