RUNCORN'S relegation worries deepened after an eight-wicket defeat by runaway leaders Tattenhall in Meller Braggins Cheshire League Division One.

The visitors paced their innings perfectly, getting home with 17 balls to spare - their openers doing the groundwork with a 100 partnership.

Hope (60) and Ahmed (52) fell to boundary catches off recalled stalwart Steve Foster but Alexander - adding 28 runs to a 3-28 haul - and Mitchell (22no) saw Tattenhall to a 25pts-6 victory.

Put into bat, Runcorn had collapsed to 34-5 with only Andy Booth (18) hitting double figures before Steve Ollerenshaw (23) and Mark Cahill (39) took the score on to 99-6.

Both lost their wickets on the same total but Mike Wakefield (26no), Rojish Rocky (17) and Matt Lintill (10) offered late resistance for a respectable 171-9 total.

* Promotion-chasing Moorfield (six points) were well beaten by second-placed Burscough (20) in Merseyside and Southport Cricket Alliance's Division Two but held onto third spot as others failed to capitalise.

Stand-in skipper and opener Mark Brick, having elected to bat, soon lost two partners but went on to make 31.

Neil Maher, at four, took the fight to the home attack for 70 but Moorfield collapsed to 168ao after 50 overs.

The visitors were soon two down - impressive youngster Mattie Carder claiming both victims.

But opener Rob Powell (51no) and Andy Murray (97no) saw Burscough home at 169-2 off only 34 overs.

Moorfield take on mid-table Haydock at Moorfield Road this Saturday.