WISTASTON continued to maintain their lead at the top of the Cheshire Cricket Alliance Division One thanks to a 56-run defeat at home to Old Parkonians.

The hosts scored 154 for 9 thanks in part to Mike Chester's 30, with Chris Beckett taking 4 for 54 and Dave Fletcher 5 for 55.

The home side were devastating in reply, bowling the visitors out for 98 after N Khan took 4 for 22 and Keith Thornhill 3 for 29.

Haslington drew their away game in Bowdon Vale and slip further down the table after Sandbach's win at home to Ellesmere Port.

Bowdon scored 202-7 with P Williamson making 62 and T Robinson making 69 as Tom Gledhill took 4 for 52.

Haslington then closed on 138 for 7 with D Frances making 60.

Sandbach's 54-run defeat of visitors Ellesmere Port allowed them to close the gap on Trinity in the table, with the hosts making 178 for 7 thanks to R Kesteven's 56 and A Hampshire's 34.

Ellesmere Port were then dismissed for 124, with Ackerman taking an impressive 6 for 20.

Wistaston's seconds fell to an 11-run defeat at Port Sunlight, leaving them teetering perilously close to the bottom of the Division Three table.

Port Sunlight scored 186 for 6 with Brendon Woods making 65 and Mike Graham 35, before Wistaston were then skittled out for 175.

It was a similarly bad story for Haslington, who were beaten by visitors Capenhurst by 76 runs.

Capenhurst scored 110 all out before bowling out Haslington II for a pitiful 34.