KNUTSFORD’S batsmen could not hold out for a draw when they were visited by Frodsham for a Cheshire Alliance fixture.

Set a target of 188, they fell 40 runs short despite resistance from veteran John Sheridan (34) and captain Zain Ali (24no).

Earlier, the visitors totalled 187-5 after winning the toss, Atif Shah (3-27) the outstanding performer in Knutsford’s attack.

In Division Three, Knutsford’s seconds shared the spoils with their Trafford Metrovick counterparts, who posted 227-8.

Ben Cook, James Derbyshire and Rob Vaughan took two wickets each.

The latter then passed 500 runs for the season after contributing 29 to his side’s 143-5 in reply, while Ash Stone (33) top-scored.

Holmes Chapel kept alive their hopes of being promoted after beating The Groves by 24 runs in the top flight.

Mark Rebbeck (39) led the way as Chapel reached 148-8 before Krish Bhardwa (4-31) helped dismiss the visitors for 124.

In the county league, Mobberley remain fourth in Division Two following a four-wicket defeat of visitors Northwich at Church Lane.

Abdul Aqeel and Charlie Nield took three wickets each as the visitors posted 183-8 before the latter scored 59 in his side’s successful reply, including a 78-run partnership for the third wicket with Mark Goodstadt (32).

Skipper Nathan Wood (33no) finished the job at 184-6.

Ashley lost in the Cheshire League’s second tier at Kingsley, where James Mazarelo (48) and Rizwan Baig (46) both missed out on half-centuries in the visitors’ 165 all out.

Jake Cairns took 2-42, but the home team had reached their target by the 29th over.

Chelford lost heavily, by 95 runs, at Lymm in the same section.

Their hosts reached 216 all out, but only Tom Radley (49no) and Zaheer Khan (32) reached double figures in Chelford’s reply of 121.

Over Peover went down by 11 runs when Langley visited in Division Three.

Mark Nightingale took 4-9 in the visitors’ 149-8, but captain Tom Stubbs (71) hit a half-century in vain after tea when his side were dismissed for 136.