RUNCORN'S Meller Braggins League Division One opener didn't go to plan as they lost to visiting Cholmondeley by six wickets.

The home side's strategy was to bat first in a bid to make the most of the new points system but questionable umpiring decisions didn't help them in their 168no.

The home side lost opener Andy Booth early, but Ian McLean and Mark Cahill took the score to 68-2 in the 19th over.

McLean scored 43, including three sixes, but four wickets were controversially lost.

Steve Ollerenshaw, whose 37 included a couple of sixes, and Steve Foster (19) took the total onto 138-6 in the 38th over.

Runcorn were eventually dismissed after exactly 45 overs with A Latham (5-59) and N Thompson (2-37) the most destructive of the visiting attack.

In reply, the first Cholmondeley wicket fell cheaply but W Hockenhall (57) and E Middleton (65) boosted their score to 129-2 and 143-3.

The visitors, whose victory was sealed by G Ford (17 no), took 20 points to Runcorn's ten.

Most-successful home bowler was Foster (3-30) while Steve Sheakey performed well for his 1-47 from his 14 overs.

Alvanley's 2007 league campaign didn't start in the fashion they wanted in defeat at home to newly-promoted Ashton-on-Mersey.

Put into bat, the hosts were dismissed for just 75 after losing their first five wickets for 23.

Chris Fletcher was last out for a hard-earned 22.

Ashton's batsmen were able to take their time knowing that they had a possible 52 overs.

Phil Jones replaced Charles to take three wickets in as many overs to reduce Ashton to 64-6.

But Ashton crawled to their target in 27 overs.

Alvanley travel to Marple this Saturday hoping to find their form while Runcorn are at Oakmere.

Alvanley 2nds, having watched Weaverham hit 198 endured a batting collapse before Ben Pearce (41) and Peter French (54) changed things.

Alvanley fell 20 short, nine wickets down.

* The Cheshire Cricket Alliance Division One match at Frodsham saw the hosts beat Aston by 14 runs.

Frodsham made 128 with M Williamson top scoring on 36. Aston were bowled out for 114 (Ben Large 4-40).

Kingsley (152-5 - J Elliott 43, N Rowlands 36) accounted for Stalybridge SP (151, Adrian Burden 6-35).