MALCOLM Agar helped Warrington recover from a shaky start to win a low-scoring contest at Walton Lea on Saturday.

After coming in with the score at 30-4 in pursuit of a victory target of 114 set by Christleton, Agar settled things down before finishing on a fluent 54 not out to secure a four-wicket victory

Captain-for-the-day James Rudd, Jono Fletcher and Brad McIntosh had earlier claimed three scalps each as the visitors were dismissed cheaply.

Elsewhere, Dan Rudd led the seconds to victory over Sale by scoring 79 with the bat and taking four wickets with the ball.

Another impressive individual display came from Umer Zeb, who hit 50 before taking three Middlewich wickets as the thirds drew their game.

It was the fourths who impressed the most, however, thanks in no small part to Paul Higham and Dave Selvan’s destructive opening partnership of 138.

Higham eventually reached his century as Warrington closed on 202-4 before dismissing their hosts for just 110 in reply.

Meanwhile, batting was once again Grappenhall’s downfall as they fell to neighbours Widnes.

Skipper Adam Roylance finished with four wickets as Widnes were bowled out for 239, but Grappers never got close in reply.

Overseas player Olly Knight top scored with 30 but had precious little support as they were dismissed for only 94

The seconds beat Didsbury by five wickets at Broad Lane, with Graeme Rowlands finishing unbeaten on 47 as they chased down their victory target of 128.

Ben Cagna picked up four wickets in the first innings, with Ross Arrowsmith claiming three.

The thirds had their last-wicket pair to thank as they finished on 120-9 to hold on for a draw against Stockport Georgians, who had posted 200 batting first.

Appleton’s upturn in form continued as a classy 114 from Matthias Paltridge helped secure a draw against Winnington Park.

Responding to the visitors’ total of 223-5 at Lyons Lane, Paltridge anchored the Appleton innings as they secured maximum batting points by finishing on 188-5.

A fine third-wicket partnership of 197 between Rick Clarke (99) and Ed Sygrove (89) helped the seconds post a challenging 210-5 at Kingsley, but the hosts reached their target for the loss of just two wickets.

The thirds were bowled out for 196 to fall short of victory against Mellor despite Alex Pickering’s knock of 60 while the fourths were beaten at Bunbury despite an unbeaten 66 from Tom Lomas.