KNUTSFORD suffered a four-wicket defeat at home to Bowdon in the Cheshire Alliance on Saturday, when they were dismissed for 139 after winning the toss.

None of the hosts’ batsmen passed 20 at Mereheath Lane, where Ian Willson (3-41) and Taylor Pentecost (3-19) took three wickets for the visitors.

Bowdon wobbled initially, losing both openers for ducks, before captain Ian Johnson (32) set them back on course for victory at 142-6.

Rasel Ahmed took 3-36.

It leaves Knutsford, who do not have a fixture this weekend, eighth in Division Two.

Knutsford’s seconds posted 225-5 at Heaton Mersey, where Mohammad Roshan (74) and Rob Vaughan (68no) both passed a half-century in a fourth-wicket partnership worth 127.

Roshan returned figures of 3-51 to help dismiss the hosts for 194, 31 runs short, with support from Sam Wood (2-19) and James Derbyshire (2-66).

Vish Bhardwa was Holmes Chapel’s star turn in an eight-wicket win against Pott Shrigley in the Alliance’s top flight.

He claimed 7-30 to knock over the visitors for 126, then led the hosts’ reply with an unbeaten 47 – supported by David Steer (34no) – as they secured victory at 127-2.

In the Cheshire County League, Mobberley’s sequence of back-to-back wins ended at Brooklands, where they were bowled out for 93.

Only five batsmen made it to double figures.

Captain David Madden (44) and Ali Buchan (35no) did the bulk of the work for the home team after tea, putting on 75 runs for the third wicket in a winning reply.

Jake Cairns (84no off 64 balls) and James Mazarelo (53) contributed half-centuries to Ashley’s total of 205-6 at Chester County Officers in the Cheshire League.

Cairns then took 6-18, supported by Subtain Baig (3-34), but the hosts hung on for a draw at 105-9.