RYLANDS fell narrowly short in a promotion clash with Maritime in Cheshire Alliance Division Two.

Missing victory by 49 runs and skittled seven balls short of a draw, it leaves the Warrington outfit in the second promotion spot.

The visitors won the toss and decided to make first use of the Rylands' track.

Left arm swinger Adam Peters was once again the pick of the Rylands attack as his 3 for 31 was instrumental in pegging the visitors to 75 for 5.

But a big hitting partnership developed and the score eventually reached 245 for 9 when the Maritime captain declared the innings over, setting Rylands their highest run chase of the season for victory.

With 246 required the Maritime bowlers attacked from the off, a brutal Yorker removing opener Eddie Platt with just 10 runs on the board.

Next man in was Alan Brady, who has been in fine form with the bat this season, and his fifth half century of the season, in partnerships with Richard Buck, 28, and Graeme Rowlands, 35, had Rylands on course for victory.

But when he fell for 51 Maritime sensed their chance, and despite a timely cameo from Andy Thomas, 30, and the efforts of the tail to see out the remaining overs, Maritime bowled the home side out for 196, a victory which will likely see them win the race for top spot.

Rylands' second eleven fared little better in their fixture away at Capenhurst.

Bowling first, the Gorsey Lane side had the home side nine down for their 163 runs. With 164 required to win the visitors fell 22 runs short despite the efforts of Geoff Shaw, 30, and Nathan Lowe, 28.