A MAGNIFICENT unbeaten century from overseas star Adam Landry couldn't spare Widnes from their first defeat of the season in the Murray Smith Cheshire County League's Division One.

The leaders lost to second-placed Poynton by three wickets, despite Aussie ace Landry hitting 101no, and were forced to surrender the league's only remaining unbeaten run.

But by taking 12 points - to their visitors' 20 - Widnes are still in the clear, four points ahead.

On electing to bat, Widnes found it hard going against the opening Poynton bowlers Turner and Thompson. Nine runs came from the first over but only 12 from the next nine.

Phil Catterall then broke the shackles by taking 10 from the first three balls of Turner's sixth over. Frustratingly, he edged the fourth delivery and was caught behind.

Having already passed the 500-run mark for the season, Landry strode to the crease but Turner and Thompson continued to dominate.

Twenty overs had elapsed before Widnes posted 50. In the 22nd, Tony Hurdley departed for eleven.

Steven Titchard joined Landry and, with Clark and Watkins having replaced the Poynton opening attack, momentum began to build.

Titchard struck six boundaries before being bowled, attempting to hit over the top, for 30. Gareth Dyson joined Landry who had by now reached his seventh half-century of the season.

Dyson opened his account with a huge six into Beaconsfield Road. He added four more boundaries before being unfortunately run out for 30.

The penultimate over of the innings saw Landry reach an excellent century and a declaration came on 215-4.

As expected, Andrew Woods opened the bowling with Dyson. In his third over, Woods saw his elbow strain flare up and the skipper gave way to Bappa Mukherjee.

The Indian spinner struck in his second over, having Kingham lbw. Stringer and Thompson took the Poynton score onto 70 before Titchard, having replaced Dyson, trapped Thompson in front.

The game was evenly poised but promised to tilt Widnes's way as Mukherjee took three wickets in three overs. Watkins and Douglas then added 57 for the sixth wicket.

The partnership was broken as Woods brought back Dyson, who bowled Douglas for 15. In his next over, Dyson bowled Hutter for nought and with the score 184-7 with four overs remaining, the odds were on a home win or at least a draw.

However, Watkins, on 60no, was joined by Stuart who looked extremely accomplished for a number nine. They launched a decisive counter attack with the unfortunate Hurdley, who had bowled a tidy 10 overs for 31, suddenly conceding 15 in the penultimate over.

With only four required from the last over, Stuart wasted no time in driving Dyson straight to see Poynton home.

Widnes visit Upton on Saturday. On Sunday, they host Premier Division Didsbury in the Fred Graham Memorial Trophy second round (wickets pitched at 1pm).