VICTORY at mid-table Neston allowed Grappenhall to boost their chances of avoiding relegation from the Cheshire County League Premier Division.

Despite his pace being affected by a shoulder injury, Grappers bowler Sam Guest returned figures of 3-45 as Neston posted 207-7 from 55 overs.

Spinner Matt Titchard picked up two wickets as the visitors contained a powerful home batting line-up.

In reply, openers James McCoy and Jamie Bye got them moving with a partnership of 80 before the former fell for 59.

Bye (41) and Pete Barnes (40) picked up where McCoy left off, but a middle order wobble put victory before Ben Bodha and Gaz Burns knocked off the winning runs for a four-wicket success.

The seconds charged back into promotion contention by beating league leaders Oulton Park at Broad Lane.

Slow bowlers Ben Cagna and Arthur Pennington picked up three wickets each as Grappers restricted the visitors to 204-6 from their 50 overs.

Pennington then scored 70 with the bat as he and Iain Wright (63) frustrated a strong Oulton Park attack.

Their dismissal set up a nervy finish, but Grappers won by five wickets in the penultimate over.

On Saturday, the firsts will look to give their survival hopes a further boost when they visit bottom side Bowdon.

The seconds host their Bowdon counterparts and the thirds travel to Sale on Sunday.