THE weather took its toll on the Warrington & District League for a second successive Saturday with only nine matches in six divisions surviving.

St Michael's lost top spot in the Frontrunner Premier Division after a 2-1 defeat at Moore United, the new leaders. Moore should have scored in the opening minutes but Dave Cunning-ham's strike was well saved by Saints keeper Tony Kelshaw.

Paul Heggarty opened the scoring for St Mike's on the quarter hour with a strike from a cleared corner.

United responded almost immediately. Ben Jones broke through to tap home from close range after good work from Paul Shaw.

In the second half, Jones was on target again - this time with a stunning header, from a fine cross by John Ellis, which sealed the points for Moore.

St Michael's pushed for an equaliser with Tony Wynne and Anthony Mullarkey both going close.

Moorfield took the points from a goal-laden game against visiting Blackbrook.

Joel Craven started the trend in the 6-3 win with two fine 25-yard finishes.

Blackbrook hit back after some good pressure and reminded Moorfield that it wasn't going to be a walk in the park. Moorfield sprang back to life with three goals in quick succession through Tommy Lunt (2) and Elliot Eyo to go into the break 5-1 up.

Moorfield took their foot off the gas, allowing Blackbrook to get back into it slightly.

But the visitors' two second-half goals sandwiched a cool Paul Giles finish.

Tommy Lunt was Moorfield's stand-out performer with Neil Maher also solid throughout.

In Grange Valley Amusements Division One, Runcorn Albion ran out 2-0 home winners against Widnes-based Halton Borough.

It was a return to the bad old days as far as Boro were concerned with missed chances and mistakes.

On a heavy pitch, both sides fought hard for the full 90 minutes. The referee had no reason to brandish any cards - although it was a battle, with lots of challenges right across the pitch.

Halton started with slope advantage and had most of the first-half chances.

Albion were foiled by the Borough offside trap.

Early in the second half, a clearance by Runcorn's keeper hit a patch of mud as it landed.

It evaded a waiting Halton defender with Albion's centre forward taking the early gift, chasing through Halton's defence and coolly slotting past Mark Southern in Halton's goal.

Boro began to throw more men forward and were disappointed not to take any of four one-on-one chances.

On one occasion, the home keeper bravely dived at the feet of Gary Jones and took a knock to the head for his heroics but managed to continue after treatment.

Runcorn were awarded an 80th-minute corner which was played out to the edge of the box. Boro's keeper left his line in an attempt to intercept the resulting cross but was beaten to it as Albion made it 2-0.

Halton sent on three forwards but could not breach a Runcorn

back line, which played very well.

Division Four's Halton Borough Res salvaged club pride with a 1-0 win against Widnes rivals Moorfield.

The goal came early in the second half when Paul Colling-wood evaded the Moorfield de-fence to beat keeper John Kennedy.

But Moorfield manager Danny Moneypenny was impressed by the performance of his young team with his club crediting Boro for getting the game played.

Neither Halton Borough team is due back in action until Saturday, January 6, although there may be a friendly on Saturday, December 30.

Division Five's Waterloo Wanderers lost 3-1 at home to St Marie's Widnes.

The Marie's keeper gifted Wanderers a goal while Dave McMahon, playing out of position at full-back, was man of the match for Waterloo.