KNYPERSLEY narrowly lost their run-chase in a vital match against last week's leaders Audley on Saturday.

A spirited last wicket stand from Steve Farr and Colin Wilkinson wasn't quite enough to take the match as they ran out of time and overs, agonisingly just two runs short of their title-rivals' total.

On-form bowler Neil Dutton gave Knypersley a great start taking the first Audley wicket for just two runs, then struck again to make the score 38 for two.

The visitors continued to struggle on what was a difficult batting wicket and continued to make slow progress until professional and top scorer Keith Semple was trapped lbw after scoring 30 of his side's 46 runs.

Knypersley then introduced spin bowling at both ends as they eventually dismissed the rest for 108 runs from almost three hours batting.

The home team also struggled with the bat, losing the wicket of Rob Riley for just one run, and all-rounder Semple proved a thorn in their side, rifling his way through the order.

Audley looked to be in the stronger position when they took a ninth wicket with 23 runs still to spare, but Farr, who had earlier picked up an injury taking a catch, was joined by Wilkinson and they dug their heels in to see out the rest of the match.

Knypersley gained one point more than their opponents who remain one point ahead of their rivals. But both were replaced at the top of the league by Little Stoke.

Knypersley seconds, despite losing their second match of the season to Audley, look set to clinch the Division 2 title with two matches this weekend.

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