APPLETON’S late charge for promotion gathered pace on Saturday with a comprehensive win at Lyons Lane.

Despite a damp outfield, visitors Chester County Officers chose to bat first but failed to set a challenging total.

Kanthiraj Gavaskar and Andrew Jackson claimed two wickets each as scalps were shared between the Appleton bowlers, with the visitors being bowled out for a meagre total of 100.

The hosts made a shaky start to their chase and were wobbling at 34-3, but an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 67 between Ali Sharif (48 not out) and Lee Stoll (23 not out) saw them home by seven wickets.

They face a crucial game on Saturday as they travel to third-placed Langley.

The seconds eased their relegation worries with a seven-wicket win at Chester Boughton Hall.

The hosts posted 182-5 from their 45 overs, but an unbeaten 90 from Bob MacDonald and 40 not out from Ian Mason saw Appleton home comfortably.

Appleton’s fourths recorded just their third win of the season as they beat Frodsham’s seconds by 34 runs.

Ed Sygrove’s 87 and 53 from Danny Oliver helped Appleton set their hosts a victory target of 178, but they fell well short thanks in part to figures of 4-17 from Roger Cawthorne.