MIDDLEWICH scored the lowest County League total of the season, collapsing to 30 all out on Saturday.

The jubilation of last week's victory was wiped out by visitors Timperley, who tore into the batting line-up.

At one stage, Middlewich were reduced to 1-4.

The only plus point of the day was that relegation rivals Hale Barns were almost as pitiful in their defeat at Tattenhall, making only 77.

Earlier in the day, a Middlewich win had actually seemed the more likely outcome as Timperley were reduced to 120-9.

However, a gutsy last wicket stand took them to a final total of 159-9 declared.

Timperley's Nick Liddell was then the chief slayer, taking 6-9, while no Middlewich batsman made double figures. Stuart Price top scored with 9.

The crunch game of the season takes place on Saturday, as Middlewich travel to Hale Barns (1pm).

Middlewich's total is not a Cheshire County League 1st XI record.

This dubious honour belongs to Northwich, who perished for just 24 against Bowdon in 1990.

However, the Croxton Lane men's embarrassment occurred on the day the league batting record was broken, by Pakistani Shahid Latif, who scored 203 runs for Sale in the draw with Mobberley, another side locked in the Division Two relegation tussle.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.