WEAVERHAM turned the form book upside down against First Division leaders Marple on Saturday, coming away with a stunning seven-wicket victory and a 24-point return which moves them 34 points clear of the relegation zone.

The weather reduced the game to 84 overs, but Marple chose to bat for only 38 of those in the belief they could bowl Weaverham out.

Excellent bowling and fielding restricted Marple to 180-8. Colin Lewis (4-43) and Kevin Douglas (2-30) returned the best figures but Jon Lightfoot and Jamie Allen also kept things tight.

Skipper Lightfoot then set up victory with 78 and shared a partnership of 108 with Rob Mc-Millan (61).

Youngster Anthony Main-waring then scored a brisk 20 to leave Marple with egg on the faces and Weaverham with big smiles at 181-3.

Weaverham 2nds 202-3 (Rob Dickinson 79no, Derek Westerside 59no, Richard Goodier 31, Phil Harris 22) Marple 2nds 78-1 before rain stopped play.

Skipper Alan Wright hit 55 but DAVENHAM - 112-3 when the match was abandoned - were frustrated by the weather. Hale Barns did not bat.

It was Davenham who didn't bat in the 2nd XI game after Ashton-on-Mersey had scored 169-6 (Chris Latham 4-84).

OAKMERE's home match against Runcorn looked to be heading to an exciting finish when the weather intervened.

Phil Nelson (4-48) checked Runcorn when they seemed to heading for an even higher score than their eventual tally of 203-8 (Andy Norton 2-43, Chris Nelson 1-24, Pete Hutchinson 1-29).

Oakmere had reached 82-1 (Paul Yearsley 50, Chris Leech 28no) when play became impossible.

WINSFORD were put into bat on a pitch wet at one end and dry at the other at Cholmondeley.

Under 18s captain Chris Webb (52) made his senior maiden half-century and shared a stand of 80 with Mike Clarke (27). Brian Smith (33) and Nigel Wakefield (27) made a solid if cautious start for Winsford, who ended on 163-3 after 45 overs.

Cholmondeley, 164-5, got home with an over to spare, with Dave Tierney (3-54) and Clarke (1-33) bowling well for Winsford.

Phil Doleman took 7-45 and was the star turn for Winsford 2nds, who were bowled out for just 64 chasing 178-8 at home to Mere.

On Sunday, Winsford were 174ao (Webb 45, Alistair Cobley 24) at home to Alderley Park, 176-5.