CASTROL had mixed results in their weekend double header at Chester CO as they won Saturday's league encounter but lost Sunday's Knockout Cup semi-final.

Captain Mark Evans said: 'They were two great games and Saturday was a satisfying day's work with 10 players out.

'We must have used up all our luck on Saturday as in the cup game, batsmen got themselves out at crucial times, we bowled far too many four balls with lethargic fielding, dropped catches and big decisions went against us at important times.'

'We need to regroup now and make a final big push for the title, with just 10 games left, anything can happen, but we're in the box seat and our destiny is in our own hands.'

On Saturday, Evans elected to bat and opened with Garvey (8), who fell to Johnson (3-40) when he held on to a return catch.

King (6) and Evans had added 40 when the former was bowled by Barlow (1-38), while Evans (54) had just completed his half-century when he tried to sweep a leg-side full toss from Rowlands (1-27) and was trapped lbw.

Green (21) immediately set about smashing Rowlands out of the attack with a couple of lusty blows, while Taliana (44) also ensured the runs were coming thick and fast.

This ended abruptly with a direct hit from Gewargis controversially accounting for Green, who appeared to have made his ground safely.

Johnson bowled Garratt (0) next ball but youngster Ritchie Morrisey (6) looked composed before Taliana holed out to short mid-wicket, with Holton completing the catch off Gilbody who also trapped Morrisey lbw.

Tidman (9) was next out giving Johnson his second caught and bowled of the match, but Mike Piercy (7) joined Sharples (16no) to secure the extra two bonus points before being caught off the last ball of the innings by I Barlow, off Gilbody, as Castrol closed on 181-9 from their 48 overs.

In reply, Chester CO had made 29 when Hattersley (9) guided a delivery from Garratt (1-29) straight to the gully, where Tidman completed the catch.

I Barlow (61) upped the run rate with Clarke (22) but the latter attempted one flamboyant drive too many and holed out to mid-off, where Tidman completed his second catch of the match off Piercy (1-23).

Garvey trapped Holton (11) lbw and bowled Rowlands (13), with Evans completing the catch behind.

Gerwargis (1) gifted Taliana (2-39) his wicket, holing out to Piercy at mid-off while the same combination saw off Barlow.

Garvey took Johnson (1) and A Barlow (10) with Piercy taking the catch off the latter to leave the hosts on 142-8 with four overs remaining.

With victory out of the question for Chester, Wright (1) and Gil-body (5) were ordered to hold out for the draw, but the former was trapped lbw by Garvey.

In the final over, the lure of an extra batting point for Gilbody proved too great as after playing defensively for five deliveries, he swung across the line and was castled by MoM Garvey last ball as County Officers were bowled out for 148.

Castrol took 25pts, Chester CO, 7. On Sunday, Castrol won the toss again and batted, posting 200-7 with King hitting 60.

In reply, a magnificent opening stand of 197 inspired Chester to victory as they lost just a single wicket, reaching their target with three overs to spare.

On Saturday, Castrol host Chelford (2pm).