SATURDAY’S Cheshire County Cricket League results complicated the relegation issue in the ECB Premier League with only 34 points now separating the clubs currently in seventh and 12 places.

Neston will fancy their chances of avoiding the drop with their 116 runs victory at Bowdon lifting then out of the bottom two.

Dane Williams scored a fine 102 and with Jack Smith, 48, put on 96 for the first wicket to set his side up for a declaration at 251-6 from 53 overs, Gareth Edwards taking 4-85.

Bowdon’s complete lack of batting form continued after tea when they were bowled out for 135, notably by left arm spinner Paul Stimson, 5-43. 10

Nantwich remain the relegation mix when they were unable to finish off rivals Urmston after running up a massive 301-2.

Urmston eventually held out at 178-9, thanks to last pair Kieron Lunt and Nathan Turner, the top scorer being Chris Turner 47.

In Division One, Macclesfield leap-frogged Didsbury into second place with a five wickets win at Timperley.

Tinperley mustered only 129, paceman Ian Tait being their main tormentor with 4-17. Macc replied with 130-5, skipper Nick Ross, who has been carrying their batting, top scoring with 50

At the foot of the table, Brooklands enjoyed a winning draw at home to Christleton after posting 163, Rob Holloway 64, Ifti Naseer 4-30. Christleton got to 153-8 in reply, South African Uzair Walters 41, Raj Singh 4-32.

Widnes lost by 17 runs at home to Sale. Tyrone Lawrence top scored with 40 in Sale’s 203-8, Danny Moore bowling supremely well to return 7-80 off 25 unchanged overs in the heat.

Widnes replied with a spirited 186, Luke McCoy 57, Phil Catterall 51, while Ben Watkin turned in a a match winning 5-34.

In Division Two, Stockport proved their strength with a comprehensive 110 runs victory over Heaton Mersey at Cale Green after running up 232-6 before declaring on 45 overs, Tom Kidd hammering a fine unbeaten 132, his maiden 1st XI century.

Mersey battled it out spiritedly for 39 overs but were all out for 122, Hassan Rashid 38, John Manning 4-45 off 18 overs.