KNUTSFORD'S bowlers were left frustrated after Winsford held on for a draw on Saturday but they remain in a promotion position with four matches left.

The home team put 214-8 on the board, with Sajjad Ali (86) and Ali Azaad (35) providing a steadying influence when they added 81 runs for the fourth wicket after coming together at 45-3.

Adnan Ghazanfar (28) then scored quickly during a stand worth 64 with the former, who struck eight fours and three maximums.

Dave Etchells (4-51) trapped the leading-scorer LBW.

The visitors to Mereheath Lane, beaten in their past five Cheshire League Division Four fixtures, will have feared the worse when they slipped to 26-5 before Rafay Siddique (34) and Colin Dean (26) hung around for much longer.

Last-wicket pair Ross Gilder (17no) and Etchells (11no) faced more than 70 balls between them to see their side to 106-9 at stumps.

Zahid Saleem (3-32) was the pick of Knutsford's bowlers with support from Adeel Bhatti (2-21) and Nadeem Alam (2-18).

They continue to occupy second spot in the table, and have a 29-point lead over third-placed Trafford MV.

Knutsford visit Wistaston on Saturday.

An unbroken partnership worth 105 runs for the ninth wicket between Abin Abraham (60no) and Raghu Bhaskar (66no off 36 balls) secured for Knutsford's seconds a two-wicket win at Winnington Park in Division C North.

Chasing 214, that scenario appeared more than unlikely when they came together at 109-8.

John Sheridan (46) stayed calm during an uncertain opening to his side's reply as they slipped to 32-4.

Winnington had put 213-4 in the score-book after being put in with opener Mehul Kadu (80) the pick of their performers after putting on 101 for the first wicket with Rishad Ali (38).

Bhaskar (2-49) was the most successful of a bruised attack.

Results

UKFast Cheshire League

Week 18

Saturday, August 18

Division Four: Division Four: Frodsham 104-1 Westminster Park 101; Glazebury 190-8 Styal 134; Knutsford 214-8 Winsford 106-9; Over Peover 236-7 Audlem 124-9; Trafford MV 233-5 dec Bowdon Vale 154-7; Tranmere Victoria 98-4 Wistaston Village 97

Division C North: Appleton 4th 264-5 Glazebury 2nd 272-5; Ashley Academy L-L Frodsham 2nd; Bowdon Vale 2nd conceded to Europa Exiles; Kingsley 2nd 189 Warrington 4th 154; Warrington 3rd L-L Rostherne; Winnington Park 2nd 213-4 Knutsford 2nd 214-8