NORTHWICH'S Division One match with Radbroke Hall was abandoned as a draw. Northwich won the toss and elected to field and with the visitors on 143-2 the rain came and their innings was finished prematurely. It took a lot of hard work from the groundstaff and players to mop up the remnants of an exceptionally heavy shower and the umpires decreed the pitch was fit to play and Northwich had 20 overs left to chase the target.

John O'Sullivan led the way with 48, but with three batsmen out first ball the run chase was disappearing. However, with three overs to go and Northwich requiring 23 more runs with two wickets remaining, another heavy shower left a delicately balanced match abandoned as a draw.

Northwich 2nd XI continued their winning streak as they managed to beat the weather and their opponents.

With the weather looming the Northwich batsmen did not hang around led by John Cartwright who smashed 76 to ensure their fifth straight win by six wickets.

Northwich 3rd XI were abandoned at Appleton towards the end of their innings - 187-9 - and the most disappointed person was Mark Plant. The veteran led the way and was unbeaten on 91.

The 1st XI's First Round Cheshire Shield clash at Appleton also fell victim of the weather with the home side on 137-7. Northwich bowlers had restricted the home side to a modest total with Mark O'Neil (4-23) and Simon James (2-16) both containing the batsmen in their seven-over spells.

In the junior section, Northwich U9s got off to a winning start as they beat Congleton by three runs in a tense finish on Wednesday evening with a solid team performance. The U18s beat Runcorn on Friday by eight runs, Northwich making 111-5 (Lee Evans 39) and Runcorn ending on 103-8 putting Northwich at the top of the league.

The U15s put in an exceptional performance on Sunday morning to defeat Oulton Park. Lee Evans (40no), Martin East (40no) and Matty Hamman (35no) topped the run scoring as Northwich made 161-4. Despite Craig Williamson (40no), Oulton Park could musteronly 99 in reply. Only the U13s lost - to Oulton Park in the reverse fixture by 22 runs, chasing 99.

KINGSLEY'S match with Aston was also abandoned as a draw. Kingsley batted first and made 175-9 with K Ollier making 96 and A Hatt 29. In reply, Aston reached 103-2 at the close.

HARTFORD'S game at Kerridge on Saturday was the only one to escape the weather, and the Northwich side took full advantage to leap up Division Two.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat, and were restricted to 178-7, Rob Whittle taking 4-59 the pick of the bowlers.

They then lost 10 overs to the rain, leaving Hartford to chase down their target inside 36 overs. It was looking ropy when they required 100 off the last 16 overs with four wickets down, but a succession of solid partnerships including 50 from Dave Brandreth, 20 from Gaz Stokes and a 27no from Martin Hill ensured they made it home with eight balls to spare.