WARRINGTON put pressure on the Cheshire County Cricket Division Two leaders with an eight-wicket win at home to Alvanley on Saturday.

Their guests, cautious initially, hit out during the final 10 overs to reach 186 for 6 after being put in by Warrington – who gave a debut to 54-year-old Ashley Finch following Ashley Scholes’ injury in the warm-up.

Kyle Adams, 4 for 60, Paul Farrar, 1 for 33, and Matt Adams, 1 for 45, were rewarded with the wickets in the hosts’ attack.

In reply, skipper Richard Hearney, 31, and an unbeaten knock of 75 from Chris Kirby put on an opening stand of 72 to give the hosts a solid start.

A second-wicket partnership added 99 after a fine 59 from James Hughes as fourth-placed Warrington cruised to their target.

Warrington seconds recorded a 27-run victory at Oulton Park.

Will Fleetwood’s unbeaten 57 and Andy Kirby, 54, were supported by Charlie McElroy, 27, and Ian Sleigh, 27, as Warrington declared after 47 overs on 237 for 9.

Warrington’s change bowlers Brendan Morris, 4 for 29, Sy Hewitt, 3 for 44, and Fleetwood, 2 for 27, ended Oulton Park’s resistance to skittle the hosts for 210.

Warrington’s thirds romped to a nine-wicket win as bowlers Chia Gadipalli, 2 for 28, and Tom Higham, 2 for 45, pinned down hosts Neston.

Spinners Tex Balmer, 4 for 30, and Rishav Manta, 2 for 50, then entered the frame and had the hosts back in the shed for a modest 143.

Balmer, 73, and Tom Corroboy, 30, put on a match-winning stand of 119 with Alan Hitchmough Warrington’s only loss.

Raj Soni’s 64 could not stop Warrington’s fourths slumping to a five-wicket defeat to league-leaders Didsbury.

Mike Cornelia, 20, and Dom Hastings, 16, contributed as the hosts were skittled for 143, Soni then taking 3 for 36 with support from Harry Kellett, 1 for 20, and Tom Fagan-Hall, 1 for 41.