CHESTER County Officers put in a substandard batting performance at Aston and slipped to a 54-run defeat and fourth place in Division One.

Aston batted first and made 186-8 as Chester's bowlers found no help in the wicket and the ball refused to swing for any of them.

Mike Clarke was the pick of the bowling with 3-17 while Steve Johnson took 3-59. Andy Barlow and John Coppock picked up a wicket apiece.

Things started slowly for Chester in reply but a recovery was sparked by Alastair Clark (20) who took the score to 92.

Officers lost their sixth wicket at 107, level pegging with the Aston innings, but the batsman out was Tony Hattersley who had just made 54 and looked comfortable for shepherding home the innings.

Chester were finally dismissed for 132. nKingsley went to Radbroke Hall hoping to continue their excellent start to the season but ended up with a draw.

Batting first, Radbroke Hall reached 187-9 wickets with L Forsythe (40) and D Forsythe (76) the pick. For Kingsley, A Burdon took 5-65.

In reply, Kingsley started slowly, losing a wicket early on.

Wickets went at regular intervals and on 66-4, victory looked unlikely.

However, Elliott (44) and a superb 56 by Jonny Ollier put the visitors back in control of the game. When Ollier was unluckily run out, chances of victory slipped again and Kingsley batted out the remaining overs to finish on 163-7.

Kingsley seconds made it two victories in a row with a home win against Styal.

Kingsley finished on 207-4 dec thanks to skipper Ainsworth (104no) and 15-year-old Jamie Moores (47).

Styal had to face the experienced opening bowling partner-ship of Ian Oultram (4-48) and Steve Myers (4-44), who rolled back the years and ripped through the top order as Styal were all out for 120.

Bunbury won at Woodford by eight wickets. Woodford were bowled out for 115 and Bunbury won with 118-2 - S Lamb unbeaten on 57.

In Division Two, Frodsham fell at Stalybridge St Paul's by 10 wickets.

Frodsham were bowled out for 55 with M Omar taking 5-32 and C Fish 4-21. Stalybridge St Paul's eased to 56 without loss. nCapenhurst lost their Division Three match to visitors Port Sunlight by four wickets.

The home side were bowled out for 144 with C Doreen top scoring with 40. Port Sunlight recorded 145-6 to triumph.