Hartford continue to set the pace at the top of Division Two after a hard-fought victory over Appleton.
With differing reports about the approaching weather, it was a risk when Hartford asked the visitors to bat and despite the bowling conditions of the season so far, wickets were not in plentiful supply at the start of the innings.
Matt Shinkfield picked up 3-44 and Josh Spruce 2-29 as Appleton made their way to 172-5 in their full 48 overs.
As a steady drizzle started to fall, Hartford made inroads into the target, first with Neil Hart's 33 followed by Shinkfield's 40. Martin Pickup then played the perfect anchor role as a couple of wickets fell. He finished on 46no and Brian Harkin weighed in with a vital 23no as Hartford reached 173-5 with three overs to spare.
Only a mile away, NORTHWICH were impeded by the weather. It was the second year running Kingsley had escaped probable defeat via the rain.
To make matters worse, Mark Wrench reported in with a knee injury and will be out for the remainder of the season.
The visitors scored 143 with their last five wickets falling for five runs. Kinsgley were never on top thanks to the bowling of Nick Shaw (4-42) and Lee Evans, a 15-year-old who turned in his best figures so far of 5-31.
Northwich had got to 34-1 when the match was abandoned.
Paul Alcock hit 78 on his debut but Northwich 2nds, 153-6, were beaten by Radbroke Hall, 155-3.
Northwich 3rds had a rain-affected draw, being pulled up at 48-2 chasing Wirral 3rds' 136ao (Mark Minton 5-48, Andy Gibson 2-37, Chris Yearsley 3-12).
SUNDAY brightened the mood at Northwich when the 2nds won their League Knockout tie against Langley.
Ashley Sefton (59), Nigel Goolding (50), Craig Douglas (35no) and Adam Davies (38no) were all among the runs in Northwich's 287-7, which overwhelmed Langley's 159ao.
Juniors: County League Shield - Bredbury, 141, beat Northwich, 139.
