WISTASTON Village lost ground in the Division One title race when they fell by seven runs in a low-scoring match against Woodford.
Batting first at The Brittles, Wood-ford posted a meagre 137-9 from 48 overs, top scorer S Elms hitting 41. Keith Thornhill (3-39) was again pick of Wistaston's bowlers, ably supported by Chris Townsend (2-23) and James Siddorns (2-38).
In reply, Wistaston lost half their side for 45 runs, but Paul Owen (34) and Chris Townsend (22) kept them in the hunt. James Hogben took them to the brink of victory with a gutsy 34no, including three sixes, but he ran out of partners with his side finally out for 130.
Aston were beaten at home by five wickets to Kingsley. The hosts batted first and posted 172-5, with Derek Wright (40), Andy Leese (37) and Matt Beesley (30). In reply, Kingsley won with 174-5 wickets with K Ollier (42) and J Ollier (51) starring.
Sandbach travelled to Chelford and lost by 48 runs. The home side made first use and hit 211-4 with P Weston 88. Sandbach were out for 163 with C Tomlinson firing 57.
At Styal, visitors Bunbury won by nine wickets. The hosts made 152 with Matthews taking 6-35 for Bun-bury. Bunbury won with 154-1, with Nick Swinbank unbeaten on 48 and Mark Ryder 68no.
In Division Three, Audlem stayed in the promotion hunt with a high-scoring winning draw against top club Saughall.
After winning the toss for only the second time this season, Steve Swallow elected to bat and Audlem posted an impressive 249-5.
Chris Shenton was again in excellent form with 78, while support came from C Goulding (32) and T Measures (41 not out). Saughall posted 235-3 (S Elkes 3-52). nOn Sunday, Wistaston hosted Yorkers CC and reached 170 all out after making first use. Julien Cotton (55), David Powell (24) and James Siddorns (24) made most of the runs.
In reply, Yorkers lost their first four wickets for 35 runs, but Plumley (64no) and Gilbertson (33no) saw them home with 172-5.
Wistaston seconds visited Wood-ford and had an easy 20-point win. Batting first, Woodford were all out for 99 with Dean Titus (4-12) and Josh Allwood (4-40) doing the damage. In reply, Wistaston scored 103-4 (Steve Collins 45).
Meanwhile, Audlem seconds produced an upset in the quarter-final of the league cup, beating Chester County Officers by seven wickets.
Chester were bowled out for 139, with S Lawson (3-27), J Price (1-13) and D Parry (2-8) proving the danger men. Audlem cruised to victory in just 25 overs, as G Gay smashed 61, and A Elkes contributed an unbeaten 30 to set up a derby at Aston (2pm) on Sunday.
