PROMOTION to the Meller Braggins League is within Chester County Officers' grasp.

The Upton-based team need only three points from tomorrow's Division One clash at Kingsley to ensure they make the step up.

The Officers are also favourites to clinch the league title as they currently occupy top spot, 10 points ahead of second-placed Wistaston.

Chester took a giant step towards promotion with a comprehensive home victory against Aston last Saturday.

The visitors volunteered to bat first but Mike Clarke continued his tremendous run of form by taking 6-37 in 23 overs while leg-spinner Mike Rowlands lured 4-50.

Faced with a target of 111, Officers were reduced to 33-3. But Mike Pownall (41no) and Chris Wright (47no) steered them to 114-3.

KINGSLEY cruised into the top half of the table by putting paid to any hopes that Woodford had of gaining promotion.

Choosing to bat first in an attempt to gain vital extra points for promotion, hosts Woodford struggled on a green wicket that offered help to all of Kingsley's seamers and were all out for 99 (Andy Storey 4-25).

The visitors cruised to 100-3, Neil Rowlands impressing with a 15-ball 25 as Kieron Ollier (19no) and Jay Cartledge (17no) showed cool heads.

BUNBURY fell to a nine-wicket loss at promotion-chasing Wistaston. Visitors Bunbury were put into bat and stumbled to 52 all out from

30.4 overs. In reply, the Villagers took just 11 overs to score 56-1.

ELLESMERE PORT face a make or break relegation decider with Sandbach tomorrow. Port will be relegated if they fail to win.

After last week's washout, SAUGHALL returned to Division Two action with a high-scoring draw at Langley.

Saughall lost the toss and were invited to field first and Langley piled on the runs, reaching 261-2.

Saughall got off to a good start in their reply, their opening partnership of James (33) and Martin Huxley (42) putting on 83 for the first wicket. Both fell in quick succession but big scores from Richard Tomlinson (63) and Adam Griffiths (50no) saw Saughall home to safety on 214-4.

At Eastham, visitors FRODSHAM won by 104 runs. Frodsham batted first and posted 193-5 (B Large 60, C Sandbach 49) and in reply, Eastham were bowled out for 89.

At CAPENHURST, the hosts' Division Three match with Rylands was drawn. Rylands batted first and posted 204-7 but in reply, Capenhurst hung on at 141-9 (N Tilby 30).