MISSING four regulars, Runcorn 1sts came up short at Meller Braggins Cheshire League Division One leaders Stockport Georgians.
Asked to field, visitors Runcorn took a wicket in the sixth over but from 16-1, T Bailey (43) and A J Platt (62) helped the score to 130-3 in the 33rd over.
Further runs from S Vincent (39), aided by M Vincent (15) and N Tyers (18) took the eventual score to 198-5.
Keith Clements (3-43), S Sheakey (1-50) and J Weston (1-31) took the wickets.
The fielding was generally good but two dropped catches did not help.
In reply, A Booth (19) and Steven Ollerenshaw (19), along with J Weston (11), gave Runcorn a brisk start.
But after Iain Williams had been caught on the boundary for 36 and Keith Clements fell to a return catch for 29, the tail was unable to wag.
Runcorn subsided to 146 all out in the 37th over. Wickets were shared by I Afridi (3-44), J Coxon (2-31), G Rathburn (1-32) and C Taberner (3-37). Runcorn took six points to Georgians' 25.
Alvanley (128ao) lost to promotion-chasing Oakmere (129-4).
* Kingsley disposed of Cheshire Alliance Division One visitors Port Sunlight by 65 runs.
Kingsley made 162-9 wickets, with Mark Butcher hitting 44 and Kieron Ollier 40.
Sunlight were dismissed for 97, with John Ollier taking 4-21.
At Frodsham, the match against Sandbach was drawn.
Frodsham made first use with 192-6, Ben Large hitting 56 and T Wilkinson 50. Sandbach replied with 107-9, with James Burton taking 4-28.
