JONO Fletcher led Warrington into the Cheshire County Cricket League Division Two promotion places on Saturday.

The South African all-rounder anchored what turned out to be a slightly nervy run chase at Hale Barns by hitting 76 from just 67 balls.

Warrington were 8-3 after a nightmare start to their innings but by the time Fletcher was dismissed, they were 35 runs shy of their victory target of 157.

Mal Agar hit 24 to provide Fletcher with valuable support before Sam Houghton’s unbeaten 22 steered Warrington to a two-wicket victory.

Earlier, James Rudd was the pick of the Warrington bowlers as he took 4-17, with Brad McIntosh claiming three wickets with one each for Brad Roden and Chai Gadepalli.

Warrington now move up to second in the table but trail unbeaten leaders Lindow by five points. They welcome Stockport Georgians to Walton Lea on Saturday

The seconds were forced to settle for a draw as Romiley closed on 111-8 in pursuit of 202 to win. Dan Rudd took 4-12 with the ball while Raj Soni was the pick of the batsmen with 67.

Meanwhile, the thirds were able to chase down 2014 to beat Ashley by three wickets thanks in no small part to Paul Higham’s dogged 62.

In the Premier Division, things go from bad to worse for Grappenhall as their batting once again failed to fire.

They were skittled for just 96 by Alderley Edge at Broad Lane despite winning the toss and electing to bat first, with skipper and opening batsman Adam Roylance the only Grappers man to show anything like good form with 38.

The visitors knocked off the runs with minimum fuss to record a seven-wicket win, with all three wickets falling to Ian Hall.

It does not get any easier for the beleaguered Grappers as they travel to table-topping Hyde on Saturday.

The seconds were also beaten by their Alderley Edge counterparts, with Ross Arrowsmith and Ben Cagna’s last-wicket partnership of 80 dragging them to 175-9 before the hosts knocked off the runs for the loss of five wickets.

Some pride was salvaged by the thirds, who won at table-topping Didsbury despite having just 10 players.

Richard Wiles put in a superb all-round display as he hit 67 with the bat to help Grappers post a commanding 223-8 before taking four wickets with the ball as the hosts were dismissed for 158 in replay.

Ben Clissold also hit 50 for Grappenhall, with Stanley Pennington and Lewis Porter taking two wickets each.

In the Cheshire Cricket League, Appleton continued their revival in Division Two with a draw at Middlewich.

In response to the hosts’ 196-7, Appleton’s last-wicket pair withstood pressure to ensure they closed on 170-9.

The seconds also drew with Groves at Lyons Lane with Chris Tomlinson taking 5-48 to restrict the visitors to 177 all out before Richard Buck’s 41 put Appleton in with a shout of chasing down the total but they ran out of overs with the score on 161-8.

The thirds lost to Lindow as they failed to defend their total of 221-8 while the fourths won by 42 runs after bowling out Haslington for 106 in reply to their 148 all out.