A HEAVILY depleted Northwich 1sts lost for the first time in two months at Chelford.

Missing seven regulars through injury and work commitments, captain John O'Sullivan and his men faced a tough task before a ball was bowled.

And they were disappointed to get off to a disastrous start, crumbling to 40-4 after losing the toss.

Martyn East (76) top-scored as Northwich posted a modest 163 all out.

In reply Nick Shaw (4-37) kept his team in contention as Chelford reached 102-5, but his teammates could not capitalise on his excellent spell as Chelford reached 166-5 without losing further wickets.

Northwich's Simon James said: "We're just lacking that little bit of luck you need to go your way during the season.

"John has lost eight from 11 tosses so far - a vital statistic in a league where batting second nearly always determines the outcome."

l NORTHWICH 2nds were edged out by a single run at home to Chelford 2nds.

A brilliant cameo by Mike McDonough with bat and ball was not enough to prevent his team suffering the same fate as the 1sts.

Batting first, the visitors amassed 196-5, with McDonough (3-30) the pick of the bowlers.

In reply, Mark Phillips (39), Andrew Pickstock (31), and McDonough (51) gave Northwich a platform to threaten their opponent's tally, but a middle order collapse left final pair Steve Riley and Mark O'Neil to score 20 runs from 24 balls.

They fell agonisingly short as O'Neil was bowled with two runs needed from the final two deliveries.

The 2nds also saw off Barnton 2nds in the quarter-final of the Meller Braggins knockout.

Mark Phillips (62) and Glinoj Cherian (45) were on form as Northwich reached 146-4 from their allotted overs.

Jimmy Kimber took two quick wickets early on to leave Barnton struggling, and they could only reach 114-8 by the close as Northwich booked a semi-final trip to Marple.