ALSAGER CC leaped to fifth in ECB Division One with victory over struggling Heaton Mersey, last Saturday.

Gary Pickford and Tim Wilson's excellent fourth-wicket stand of 113 proved decisive as the team recovered from a bad start.

Put into bat first, opener Alan Stancliffe soon went for 1 and with both his partner Woolley (26) and South (15) back in the pavilion for a total of 53, things looked tough.

But Alsager were back in business thanks to Pickford and Wilson who trebled the score before Rashid (4-73) accounted for both.

Paul Adams continued the good work and the declaration came on 197 for 7 off 50 overs.

Despite losing Norbury for 3, Canttello looked to be building a decent innings for Heaton Mersey but his dismissal for a fine 32 sparked a horrific collapse.

The home side tumbled from 61 for 3 to 68 for 7 as Warrington (4-42) and Pickford (3-13) tore through their order.

Rose (52) and Roper (35) raised hopes with a stubborn stand of 87 but when both fell in the 46th over, Sacher followed a ball later and Alsager were victors by 35 runs.