WARRINGTON slipped back into Cheshire County League Division One’s relegation zone after losing by six wickets at high-flying Widnes.

Richard Heaney’s men were put into bat but the top order made hay and scored most of their runs.

South African all-rounder Johan Els top scored with 52, with Brad Roden and Mike Rudd both reaching 42.

Rudd was left unbeaten at the close, but Brad McIntosh, 28, was the only other Warrington batsmen to reach double figures as they finished on 210-8.

That total was never likely to be enough at Widnes’ small ground and the hosts duly chased down their target with five overs to spare.

Ashley Scholes took 2-52 for Warrington, with Els and McIntosh weighing in with a wicket each.

The seconds fared much better against their Widnes counterparts, thanks in no small part to a superb bowling display that saw them skittle their visitors for just 96.

Rishav Manta headlined with 4-10 and there were also key contributions from Ryan Swart, 3-20, and Chia Gadepalli, 2-18.

Warrington cruised to their target as Tom Higham, 44, and Harley Barrett, 31 not out, led the way in an eight-wicket victory.

The thirds were also victorious after dismissing Port Sunlight’s seconds for just 144.

Paolo Manfredi, 3-27, was ably assisted by Dave Lee, 2-30, and Ben McCarthy, 2-35, for Warrington, with Joel Chadderton and James Shaw taking one scalp each.

After opener Shivas Jogi retired hurt on 41, it was left to Manfredi, 35 not out, and Tim Rothwell, 20 not out, to seal a five-wicket success.

The fourths beat Appleton by seven wickets, with Mans Naseem’s figures of 6-22 helping skittle their neighbours for 123 to set up a simple run chase.

That was achieved thanks mainly to Andy Goodfellow’s unbeaten 75.

On Saturday, the firsts visit Macclesfield while the seconds and thirds are at home to Bramhall and Barrow respectively.

The thirds are also in action on Sunday as they welcome Haslington to Walton Lea.