BROOKLANDS' batting woes continued as they lost by 55 runs at Mobberley in Cheshire County League Division Two on Saturday.

Brooklands won the toss and the hosts got off to a solid but unspectacular start as Robert Spilsbury (44 in 91 balls) and Nathan Wood (68 in 123 runs) were tied down reasonably effectively by spinners Mark Law (2-29) and Raj Singh (2-33).

A blast at the end by Abdul Aqeel (32 not out in 22 balls) got the hosts to a reachable 174-7 in their 50 overs.

However, the batting again fell short and the Bears were bundled out for 119 in 46.3 overs – the only batsmen getting to grips with the challenge being AJ Hart (41) and Law (29no).

The Bears fall to fourth in the table but host second-placed Upton on Saturday where a win would reignite the promotion push.

The second XI continued their charge up the table and are now fourth, just 13 points off second, after a thumping 10-wicket win at home to bottom-placed Bramhall.

The visitors were despatched for 78 with the ever economic Tom Mitchell (5-25) cashing in and Ethan Brooks achieving remarkable figures of 7-6-1-3.

Dave Cunliffe (47no) made light work of the chase supported by a tougher 24no from George Storrow. They travel to runaway league leaders Upton on Saturday.

The third XI beat Ashley seconds as they chased 238.

Ashley's middle-order stalwarts of Daniel Ahmed (53) and Yassir Butt (75) got the visitors into a strong position as they declared to pursue wickets.

However, a typically aggressive 65 from Ross Willard was supported by a maiden senior half-century for under-14s player Jim Hugall (54) and Joe Gill (76) in a partnership of 120.

After they were out, there was a mini-wobble but Brooklands got across the line for the loss of six wickets with 45.2 overs gone.

They will look to build on this with a trip to Cheadle Hulme on Saturday.

Ashley's third XI wreaked revenge on Brooklands the day after, though, as they thrashed the Brooklands fourths.

The fourth XI were kept to 114-9 in their 40 overs and Ashley eased to their target for the loss of two wickets.

Brooklands fourths host Hyde on Sunday.