WARRINGTON fell just short of ending their wretched form as a middle-order batting collapse saw them slip to an 18-run defeat at Weaverham.

Skipper Richard Heaney lost the toss and the hosts chose to have first use of the wicket, which looked a good decision as they made solid progress with the bat.

Rob Batey took 2-40 and Brad McIntosh contributed with 1-33 early on for Warrington, but the hosts still looked to be heading for a formidable total thanks largely to a half-century from opener Kevin Waterhouse.

However, James Rudd’s introduction to the Warrington attack turned the momentum in their favour as he tore through the Weaverham middle order to take stunning figures of 6-16, including the dangerous overseas player Wilden Cornwall for 32.

Rudd’s bowling helped Warrington dismiss their hosts for 180, giving the batsmen a reasonable target for victory.

They made a solid enough start, with Australian all-rounder Huw Stone and Mal Agar putting on 59 for the first wicket.

Even after Agar fell for 16, Stone reached 50 and Adam Green made 24 as the visitors seemed well set for victory at 90-2.

Once again, though, the momentum was to change as Warrington’s middle order was swept away, with Rudd, McIntosh and Isaac Webster all dismissed cheaply to leave the run chase in tatters.

One figure of belligerence was Heaney, who dug in well to make an unbeaten 22 and keep his side in with a chance of victory.

Sadly, Heaney ran out of partners as Warrington were dismissed for 162 to confirm their defeat.

It is now eight games without a victory for Warrington, who sit 15 points above the Cheshire County League Division One relegation zone with three games and 75 points left to play for.

Their latest bid for victory comes on Saturday when they host bottom side Tattenhall.

Meanwhile, a superb display of spin bowling from Phil Whelan helped Warrington seconds to an eight-wicket win at Brooklands.

Whelan took 7-18 to help dismiss the hosts for just 110 before an unbeaten 48 from Simon Swain and 40 from Brad Roden saw Warrington home.

The thirds were beaten by four wickets at Bunbury after a disappointing batting effort.

Only three players made double figures for Warrington, with Billy Gilbert top-scoring with 33 as they were bowled out for 118.

Paul Green took 4-31 in reply, but Bunbury easily reached the total.