Spectre of relegation looms for Weaverham

HIGH-FLYING Hale Barns cantered to a comfortable nine-wicket win away to Weaverham on Saturday.

The loss leaves the men from Northwich Road hovering precariously above Wilmslow, the team currently propping up the Division One table.

For the second week running Weaverham were left ruing not making enough runs after being asked to bat first.

This time around they suffered for not making their customary solid start, quickly slipping to 30-3.

Captain Jon Lightfoot (40) and Rob McMillan (67no) put on 82 for the fourth wicket, but after Lightfoot's departure further wickets tumbled cheaply.

Rob Dickinson (19) offered some resistance but as Hale Barns defended the boundaries Weaverham found runs increasingly difficult to come by.

In reply the visitors, lying second in the standings, made light work of chasing down their target, with Australian teenager Lucas Fraser the only bowler to pick up a wicket.

Lightfoot was not too despondent afterwards.

He said: "I thought we bowled and fielded well today, particularly Rob McMillan, without ever enjoying much luck.

"We were always up against it after our usual good start of late failed to materialise."

The loss leaves Weaverham eight points better off than basement side Wilmslow after 14 rounds, but they will hope to pick up points when they travel to mid-table side Marple at the weekend.