BROOKLANDS clung on to their place in Division One of the Second XI Cheshire County Cricket League despite losing by two wickets at already-relegated Cheadle Hulme.

Needing 13 points (25 available for a win) to secure safety, Brooklands were bundled out for 120 batting first with youngsters Dave Cunliffe (37) and James Hugall (32) the only significant contributors with the bat.

Home captain Phil Balderston's son Tom took four wickets and got a run-out in the hosts' fielding effort, before it was dad's turn to come good, leading his side home with 64 not out for the loss of eight wickets, with youngster Tom Lett (3-30) the main wicket-taker for Brooklands. 

Brooklands finished 10th and avoided relegation by three points.

The league is incredibly tight, and bowling Cheadle Hulme out by taking the two final wickets would have seen them gain 20 more points and finish fourth.

The first XI finished fourth in Division Two of the Cheshire County Cricket League after demolishing a Middlewich side stranded at the foot of the table.

Brooklands were bowled out for 223 with Jack Bagshaw (52) and AJ Hart (49) the big run scorers; Phil Parry taking 4-50. The hosts needed just 24 overs to rout Middlewich for 76, Caleb Jones taking 5-27 opening the bowling.

The season has concluded for these sides but the third XI still have one game to play, at Alderley Park where a win should ensure they finish in the top half to be in the higher division of the new regional Cheshire Cricket League they should be playing in.