RUNCORN are up to fourth in the Meller Braggins Cheshire League's Division One.

They cruised home by six wickets at Davenham for a third successive win which dented the Mid-Cheshire hosts' promotion aspirations.

Batting first at Butchers Stile, Davenham started badly and lost Louis Bentley with the score on just six.

Rob Harrison (34) and Dave Holden then consolidated until Holden was dismissed for 22 with the score on 34 after 14 overs.

The rot then set in, with only Jack Shepherd (39) contributing significantly with the bat. Davenham were dismissed for 152.

In reply, Runcorn began solidly, putting on 31 for the first wicket with Andy Booth in particular looking in good form.

He and Mark Cahill put on 61 for the second wicket - laying the foundations for Runcorn to ease past their target in the 33rd over.

Runcorn gifted Burnage a walkover win in Sunday's Cheshire Shield second round. nNeeding to take four wickets in the last three overs at home to Winsford, Alvanley could manage only two.

But 14 points from the draw maintained Alvanley's lead in Meller Braggins Division Two.

Alvanley's 203-5 appeared at least 20 below par on a quality track. But it represented a recovery from 6-2. They owed much to a 102-run stand between Nick McKay (53) and Glenn Pickersgill (60).

Cei Sanderson, with 42 off 35 balls, and Ian Charles (24no) maintained momentum.

In the absence of quick bowler James Rowlinson, Mark Leadbetter conceded only three runs from six overs before Phil Jones (3-27) trapped Ollier in front in the 13th.

Peter Pearce, with 2-8 from his initial six overs, and a first senior wicket for Nick Geddis reduced Winsford to 50-4 off 24.

Winsford's captain Crellin smashed 11 fours in his 65 off 63 balls.

Reintroduced, Phil Jones needed just two balls to remove the danger man.

Alvanley at least denied an otherwise negative Winsford the final batting point at 167-8.

Alvanley's young 2nds were put to the sword at Stockport Georgians, who posted 215-6.

Paul Ecclestone bucked the trend when conceding just 31 runs off 10 overs.

Only John Farmer (41), Mike Sant (23) and Jacob Newman (22) got into their stride in reply. Nicholls' 5-31 reduced Alvanley to 119ao.

Having scored more than 200 in their previous two games, Kingsley were bowled out for their record-low league score of 48 by Ellesmere Port in Cheshire Cricket Alliance's Division One.

Adrian Burden, bowling unchanged for 3-55, had tied the Merseysiders down with accurate swing.

Anthony Alderman (3-51) helped Kingsley restrict their visitors to 136-6 at tea.

With both Kieron Ollier and Neil Rowlands missing from the usual Kingsley line-up, Port opening bowlers Betteridge (5-24) and Issacs (4-13) were supported by excellent catching. Kingsley 2nds earned a nine-wicket victory on an uncut track at Westminster Park.