WEAVERHAM'S relegation worries disappeared in a puff of smoke with a fiery victory over bottom team Mere in the First Division.

Spinner Rob McMillan (4-28) and Colin Lewis's medium pace (2-31) did the bulk of the damage and Mere were all out for 112.

Skipper Jon Lightfoot and new signing from Davenham Dave Holden opened the innings and they both made 55no, Weaverham's 10 wicket victory being achieved at 113-0.

But Weaverham 2nds batted poorly and only Rob Dickinson (24) and Mark Harris (22) made an impact in their 111-9, which Cholmondeley overtook at 112-3 (Gordon Allen 1-10 off nine overs).

OAKMERE lost ground in the promotion stakes following a batting collapse at Stockport Georgians.

The bowlers did their bit and the Georgians were restricted to 177-9, but Oakmere were dismissed for just 105.

However, Oakmere 2nds renewed their title bid by beating Georgians by six wickets, with the stars being John Crouchley 3-39; Saeed Kara 29, Ian Morgan 28, Steve Percival 32 and Phil Guest 29no.

Oakmere's annual President's XI v Chairman's XI match has been brought forward to Sunday week.

DAVENHAM crashed to a home defeat against Malpas.

Without a full team their innings finished on 90-9 in just 27 overs with only Tom Screen (30) able to

hold his head high. Ben Gough and Louis Bentley chipped in 18 each, but they could not avert a disaster. Malpas needed 26 overs to score 92-3.

But there were bright spots over the weekend for the club.

Davenham marched into the Cheshire U21s Cup semi-finals with a comprehensive victory over Stockport.

Dave Ashley was the star, taking 4-15 and scoring 87no, Stockport 112ao (Chris Latham 3-37), Davenham 113-1.

And the 2nds also won, bowling out Alderley Park for 99 (Andy Simmons 3-8, Adam Day 4-14, Latham 2-39) and building a winning innings of 101-5 around Jack Shepherd (34).

WINSFORD'S fortunes took a sizeable turn for the better in the sun at Knight's Grange where they crushed a depleted Pott Shrigley.

Bowling first, Winsford took complete control with Mike Clarke and Dave Tierney's hostile opening bursts setting the scene perfectly for Mark Dean who took 6-15 in a destructive 34 deliveries.

Shrigley were whipped out for just 67 in 25 overs.

Winsford's batting line-up made short work of the total. Openers Jon Phillips and Brian Smith batted aggressively for 24 and 18 respectively and the total was reached after 16.1 overs for the loss of three wickets.

Promotion doubts at BARNTON increased after they scored only 124ao and were overpowered by Bowdon Vale, 126-3.