AFTER a less-than-impressive batting display, Winsford’s bowlers came agonisingly close to digging their side out of a hole.

In the end, visitors Bowdon Vale squeaked home by just one wicket despite only having a victory target of just 92 to chase.

Winsford were put into bat having lost the toss and Bowdon Vale soon set about ripping through their batting line-up.

Only four players reached double figures, with Chris Webb finishing as their top scorer with 18.

First-change bowler Harry Mills caused most of the damage for the visitors as he picked up five wickets to set up what appeared to be an easy chase.

They were cruising as their openers put on 40 for the first wicket until a spectacular collapse saw them lose four wickets for as many runs.

Winsford sensed a chance and when they reduced the visitors to 63-8, it was well and truly game on until Mills came in and just about got Bowdon Vale over the line.

David Etchells bowled superbly to take 6-29 for Winsford, with one wicket each for Craig Webb and James Tierney.

They face the stiff task of a trip to league leaders Westminster Park on Saturday.

Meanwhile, with the first team game abandoned, Middlewich’s seconds took centre stage and beat their Wilmslow counterparts by four wickets.

Reece Johnson took two wickets with the ball and hit an unbeaten 37 with the bat to get to their victory target of 117.

They travel to Bredbury St Marks on Saturday while the firsts will hope to return to action at home to Heaton Mersey.