TABLE-topping Warrington strengthened their bid for promotion with a three-wicket win at Congleton on Saturday.

They had the hosts all out for 180 in Cheshire County League Division Two, before passing the total for the loss of seven wickets.

Congleton were in deep trouble and on the ropes at 85 for 8.

But the tail waged as the last two wickets put on 95 to give them the respectable total 180 all out. The damage to their batting was metered out by Ashley Scholes, 3 for 37, Nathan Green, 3 for 46, and Brad McIntosh, 3 for 51.

Warrington had to regroup as they had a minor set back at 60 for 4 until James Hughes, 42, and Will Fleetwood, 73, added 64 for the fifth wicket.

Although they were both out in sight of victory, Green's unbeaten 13 steered the visitors home to a three wicket victory.

Warrington seconds enjoyed a comprehensive 192-run success at home to their Congleton counterparts.

Warrington dominated the visiting attack with James Sharrock, 85, and James Lewis, 82no, taking the honours as the hosts posted 246 for 3 in their allotted overs.

The story was no different when Congleton batted as the home side's attack wreaked havoc with Phil Whelan, 5 for 9, Simon Hewitt, 2 for 9, and Brad Roden, 2 for11, despatching the visitors in just 24 overs.

The thirds slipped to defeat by 10 wickets to Chester Boughton Hall.

Warrington, put in to bat, succumbed to the Chester attack with onlyArron Soni, 31, really troubling the scorers as the home side were back in the shed for 123 runs.

Chester had no trouble passing the Warrington total without losing a wicket.

Warrington fourths lost by 15 runs to Haslington thirds.

Arshan Dadrualla, 3 for 16, was the only bowler to contain them and Nathan Jeffery, 3 for 29, claimed three late wickets.

Paul Dempster, 35, Dave Lee, 35, and Tim Palmer, 34, tried to get Warrington back in contention.