AN under-strength Castrol side halted a run of three straight Meller Braggins League defeats with a 17-run win at home to Stretton on Saturday.

Injuries and holiday commitments meant an unfamiliar first XI took to the field at Chester Road.

There was a further blow for Castrol on the morning of the match when skipper Mark Evans failed a fitness test, so vice-captain Mike Garvey took the reins.

But after being all out for 167, Castrol's bowlers rose to the challenge and man of the match Nishan Bhandary's 5-51 helped stop Stretton on 150.

Stand-in skipper Garvey said: 'It's good to be back in the winning habit and, with a few players due back this week, we can go into a period of key games with a bit of confidence and optimism.'

Bhandary (26), Byron Ward (23) and Mike Caulfield (24) were the main men behind Castrol's 167.

The hosts' new ball pairing, Damian Walters (2-18) and

Bhandary (5-51) then got to work, starting off with their normal aggression and hostility.

At the drinks break, Stretton were 105-2 needing 63 to win off 20 overs.

But skipper Garvey read the riot act to his players and they ripped into Stretton's middle order before exposing their inexperienced tail.

The victory wrapped up a good few days for vice-captain Garvey, who bagged a hat-trick and hit 48 runs as Castrol defeated Tattenhall in the quarter-finals of the Twenty/20 Knockout last Thursday.

Having reached 107-6, Castrol secured a memorable triumph as Garvey's 3-12 ensured Tattenhall fell seven runs short of their target.

The Oilmen visit Mere in the semi-finals, on Thursday, July 6. nIn the Cheshire Alliance, Ellesmere Port suffered a 138-run loss at Stalybridge St Paul's.

Going into the game with a weakened bowling attack, Port were always up against it and the hosts cashed in by piling on 241-5 after winning the toss.

John Cheesebrough acquitted himself well after being given a rare bowl, taking three quick wickets.

In reply, Port were all out for 103 (Nick Brimble 21).

Skipper Phil Ashton, whose side lost heavily at Wistaston the previous weekend, said: 'We've come up against two excellent teams in the last fortnight. It wouldn't surprise me if they finish one and two in the league come the end of the season, but we've got to dust ourselves down and find a couple of wins from somewhere.'

Port go to Sandbach on Saturday but they might have to do without Paul Isaacs, Andy Sayers and Chris Gatrell, all of whom have hand injuries.

Castrol Under 15s lost at home to Moorfield, who made 135-8. Castrol were all out for 73.