GLAZEBURY entertained Stretton in the Cheshire Cricket Alliance on Saturday with the visitors posting a win to avoid relegation.

With Glazebury’s threat of relegation completely averted a week previous, and after dominating proceedings for most of the first innings, the home side took their foot off the gas, allowing Stretton to start a fightback. Despite appearing to be struggling at 66 for 6, the lower order out-performed the top half to allow Stretton to post a total of 144 and climb out of the bottom two, sending neighbours Appleton to the drop instead.

Tom Wilkinson, 4 for 54, and Jon Gibbons, 3 for 21, took the bulk of the wickets for Glazebury, although Chris Ayre sent down 13 overs for 10 runs and had little luck.

Stretton were quick to continue their fightback when the sides turned around, bagging three early wickets to put their opponents on the back foot.

It was a trend Glazebury failed to arrest on a wearing wicket as they were eventually dismissed for 70 to give Stretton a victory that would keep them up.

Appleton and Rylands were both relegated and Haslington were crowned champions.

In Division Four, Glazebury’s seconds finished in seventh place after they were well beaten at Stretton in their final match.

Paul Warhurst, 40, captain Dave Nicholson, 33 not out, and youngster Adam Stevenson, 26, were the backbone of the visitors’ total of 146 in 45.2 overs.

However, the home side chased it down, reaching 150 for 4 in 21.2 overs, with Alex MacArthur claiming 3 for 22.