THE top-of-the-table clash for second teams turned out to be a disappointment for Chester Boughton Hall.

Batting first at Alderley Edge, Chester lost both Thomas and Hedgecoe cheaply.

Robinson (50) and Balac (43) both batted sensibly to stage the recovery, but even they eventually followed some of their colleagues. Only Dan Riley (34) was able to improve things as Chester finished on 186 all out after 47 overs.

Alderley Edge overtook the target for the loss of only two wickets.

The only successful Chester team was Doug Ramsay's Thirds, who made more than 250 after being put into bat at Warrington. Tom Evans (44), Simon Law (27), Grant Goodwin (41) and Graham Dodd (48) led the way, while Sam Mallows (41no) finished the job.

Warrington were rarely in the game from that point onwards, and it was no surprise when they succumbed for 170 in the 34th over. Andy McIvor (2-26), Ramsay (3-23) and Olly Law (3-59) did the damage.

Chester's fourths crashed to a six-wicket defeat away to Cheadle Hulme. They were all out for 121 (Mike Perkins 51) and Cheadle went on to pass their target for the loss of four wickets (David Fisher 2-31).

Christleton faced Macclesfield in a top of the table clash with the Little Heath outfit coming out on top. Christleton bowled first and tore through the visitors, Dave Grahame doing the damage as he came away with 7-38 from 20 overs. Skipper Brain Waring (2-26) and one wicket from Jimmy Dathan saw Macclesfield bowled out for 123.

Father and son Mike (65no) and Chris Hollindale (49no) knocked off the runs required for the loss of just one early wicket.

Oulton Park maintained their championship push with victory at Alsager, who made 159 (Craig Williamson 2-50, Steve Yates 3-28, Jimmy Guest 3-36). Yates rolled back the years with a top-class 92no in Oulton's 162-9 (Williamson 20).

Chester County Officers held out at 161-6 at the close of play at Styal.

Chester lost the toss and were asked to bowl on a brown wicket as Styal amassed 235-5.

Chester's opening bowlers Paul Hickey (0-71) and Mikey Barrow (2-62) bowled well but again with no luck whatsoever as a whole series of inside and outside edges failed to find either the wicket or a fielder.

Alan Roberts took 2-49 and Declan Hickey 1-44 as Styal used their full complement of 48 overs, leaving Chester just 42.

Chester were keen to attack their target but their efforts were hindered by the loss of early wickets.

Chester were forced to show some resilience as Alan Roberts (48) led the fight-back with a dogged innings. His good work was built on by Steve 'Oz' Rimell (53no) and Mike Barker (22no) as Chester reached both safety and respectability at 161-6.

Alvanley scored 205-9 at home to Davenham thanks to a 71 from Steve Liddiard and 33 from Nick Geddis.

Despite early wickets for Chris Jones and Paul Ecclestone, Davenham reached their target with an over to spare for the loss of six wickets, three of which were taken by Chris Jones.