OXTON suffered a fifth defeat of the season after losing a close encounter with Chester Boughton Hall in the Cheshire County Premier League.

Electing to bat, Oxton were 58-8 until Joe Mennie (39) and Alistair Crick (25no) took them to 110 all out. Mennie (3-36) and Jordan Collier (3-30) ensured the target was tougher than it looked but the hosts completed a three wicket win.

Neston also struggled for runs as they were dismissed for 132 at Hyde with Chris Hackett’s 35 the highlight. The hosts reached the target in just the 15th over for the loss of one wicket.

In Division Two, Port Sunlight’s James Roberts (3-15), Matthew Hodgson (3-35) and Steve Graham (3-11) combined to bowl out Haslington for 105 but it proved to be enough as the visitors were skittled for 76.

Upton are bottom despite a battling draw with fellow strugglers Mobberley who posted a mammoth 285-4. 54 from skipper Matt Owen was the top score as the hosts closed on 173-8.

Division Three saw a defeat for Maritime after they made 177 all out in reply to North East Cheshire’s 223-7.