CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL SECONDS kept themselves in contention at the top of the Second XI Premier Division with a three-wicket victory at basement side Tattenhall seconds.

Batting first in a low-scoring affair, Tattenhall struggled in the face of some superb bowling from Sam Mallows (6-26).

With only two of the home batting order making double figures, Callum Wilson’s 21 proved to be an innings-high for Tatenhall, who ended on 62 all out.

In reply Matthew Griffiths struck eight fours on his way to 43 runs to earn Hall the points despite the best efforts of home bowlers Gary Foster (3-27) and Callum Wilson (3-29).

Neston Seconds sit just behind Boughton Hall in the league standings after their 177-run hammering of visitors  Upton Seconds.

Cameron Lea-Swain claimed a fine half century with his knock of 58, with Guy Reeve and Ian Gill falling just short after posting 48 and 45 run tallies respectively.

With a target of 233 for eight, Upton’s fight-back never really got started as Matty Ayre (4-10) and Ali Crick (4-15) left Upton all out for just 56 runs.

Sam Baxter top-scored for Alvanley Seconds in their 32-run home win against Middlewich.

Batting third for the hosts Baxter struck a 55-run tally to add top opener David Jones’ 49, which helped Alvanley to 201 all out.

David Summers (5-45) curtailed the Middlewich fight-back, with Craig Johnson’s 52 run tally an innings-best in a score of 169 all out.

Chester County Officers earned themselves a share of the points in their Division Three match at Wilmslow Wayfarers.

The Officers score of 195 for eight from 45 overs proved good enough after the hosts had made 212 for two.

Saughall lost ground on the Division Five leaders after a two-wicket defeat at lowly Hartford.

Batting first, the visitors managed 187 for six from 43 overs, Martin Huxley (48) and Mike Andrews (36no) in the runs.

But Hartford’s gradual run chase saw them make 190 for eight to claim a slender victory, despite fine bowling from Alen Roberts (3-33) and Andrews (3-41).

Captain Roberts said: "We played well but we have to take our hats off to Hartford, they played better.”

Chester Boughton Hall thirds helped themselves to a comfortable 77-run home win over  strugglers Bunbury.

The league’s basement side could not get close to Hall’s 233 for six target as the hosts wrapped up their fifth win of the season so far.

Division A’s bottom side Christleton seconds saw their poor run continue with a 27-run loss at Oakmere.

Home skipper Mike Dodd hit 50 not out to sop-score in his side’s 205 for five score from 45 overs.

Rob McNally made the perfect start in Christleton’s run chase, hitting nine fours on his way to a knock of 61.

But the scoring rate dropped off soon after his dismissal as Oakmere bowler Sean McDonnell (5-47) derailed their run chase to limit Christleton to 178 all out.

Chester County Officers seconds slumped to their sixth defeat of the Division C West campaign in a five-wicket home at the hands of Old Parkonians.

Tim Berkson took five wickets and Adam Walkling scored an undefeated half century for the visitors who overcame a bright start by the Officers to take maximum points.

A knock of 29 from Officers opener Andy Barlow proved to be a highlight for the hosts who ended 128 all out, with Berkson (5-34) in fine form with ball in hand.

The visitors chase initially lacked momentum, but improved steadily as Walkling’s mid-order knock of 58 not out helped them to 131 for five.