WIDNES finished fourth in the Murray Smith Cheshire County League after an eight-wicket victory over ECB Premiership visitors Toft.

Toft elected to bat with Hardstaff and Blackburn putting on 41.

The former was then caught behind by skipper Ian Spencer for 20.

But the score had moved onto 60-1 when Rob Yearsley was brought on and took a wicket in his first over.

Fifteen-year-old Tom Evans was among the wickets with Blackburn caught by Morris for 24. Yearsley then took 5-53 from 15 overs and Evans 3-71 from 18.

Spencer opened with James McCoy and they reached 59 before Spencer (27) was bowled by Koch. Australian Cameron Park struck two boundaries before he was skittled.

Steve Titchard (46no) joined McCoy, who ended at 103no to see Widnes home.

Runcorn came in eighth in the Meller Braggins Cheshire League's Division One despite a draw at Hale Barns.

Widnes declared on 199-9 before restricting their hosts to 184-7.

Alvanley, guaranteed promotion from MBCL Division Two, had to settle for second place behind Cholmondeley although they blitzed visiting Wirral by seven wickets.

Kingsley lost by five wickets at Chester County Officers with only Neil Rowlands (40) impressing with the bat in a 115ao total. His side finish seventh in Cheshire Alliance Division One.

Frodsham came third in Division Two after a seven-wicket victory at Langley (174-9). Star batters in Frodsham's 175-3 reply were J Lewis (45), G Houghton 36no and B Large 44no.

Parklands lost a cup final to Queens Park for a second successive time in the Halton Bayer Cricket League.

The perennial runners-up finished five runs short of victory in the Hyde Cup final.

Eight wickets lost in as many overs cost Parklands at Birchfield Park Sports and Social Club.

Queens Park racked up 121-7 after skipper Paul Ikin had elected to bat.

Negi held onto a tremendous third catch of the innings to add to his 2-18 from five overs which made him the standout Parklands bowler.

Murphy (3-28) and Birch (2-34) were the other wicket takers.

Opener Rimmer made 21 for Queens Park while Orford contributed 12 to a partner-ship of 60 with Anders after they had come together at 49-2.

Everything looked to be going smoothly for Parklands, who were 69-0 after 10 overs but four wickets fell for only 11 runs as they slumped to 84-4.

With the score on 98, double disaster struck. Howard was bowled by Ikin for nought and Negi was caught by Rimmer.

A useful 10 from Whitfield took the score onto 112-7 but with 10 runs needed in the last over, another wicket was lost for the addition of five.

Ikin took 3-23 as the pick of the Queens Park bowlers with Frost (2-27) and Reynolds (2-26) chief support.