BOWDON regained the lead in the Premier Division on Bank Holiday Monday when they beat Alderley Edge by 34 runs in their vital match in hand at South Downs Road.

Bowdon, whose key fixture at Hyde on Saturday was one of three rained off, now top Macclesfield by four points with three games remaining.

Anthony Crozier claimed 70 and Jon Gray 59 in Bowdon's 203-4 declared and a weakened Alderley Edge side were all out for 169 in reply.

Steve O'Shaughnessey 64, Gary Yates 5-58.

Grappenhall and Cheadle Hulme had their bottom of the table clash rained off and are both relegated as they cannot catch any of the clubs above them with only three fixtures remaining.

Oxton moved seven points clear at the top of division one thanks to a comprehensive six wickets win at Birkenhead Park, who were removed for 97, Ian Platt 43, Tom Pearson 5-29 on his return from injury.

Peter Benson had an unbeaten 40 in Oxton's reply.

Park are relegated and will play in Division two for the first time in 2003.

Deposed first division leaders Urmston had their game at Warrington rained off, as was Widnes' visit to Heaton Mersey, while the Stockport Georgians v Upton game was abandoned.

Brooklands are practically safe from the drop thanks to a five runs win at Congleton, who were all out for 142 (John Taylor 58, Rob Edwards 6-30) in response to their 147-7 declared, Mark Pozniak 48, Kevin Waterhouse 6-54.

Alsager won at home to Toft by four wickets after their visitors had declared at 200-7, Nigel Muirhead 54, Alsager had Ken Smith 41, Simon Woolley 34 and Gareth Rowe 30 to thank for their winning reply.

Poynton are Division Two champions as a result of the 15 points they collected from a draw at Cheadle, where they topped 200 for the 10th time with a tally of 229-3 declared.

Their star Bajan batsman Derwen Thompson hit an unbeaten 84 and has now amassed 900 runs with three innings remaining.

Cheadle reached 160-5, Kiwi Nick Hearn 84.

Winnington Park stay on course for the second promotion spot, winning by five wickets at Timperley, who scored 162, Martin Ward 51, Mark Cranny 69, steered Park home.

Irby retain an outside chance of going up should Winnington slip, after a six wickets home win against bottom team Alvanley, who were all out for 96, Colin Gibson 4-27.

Mike Griffiths top-scored with an unbeaten 48 for Irby.

Bredbury St. Mark's won by seven wickets at Cholmondeley after restricting the Countrysiders to 137-8, Gary Barlow 3-32, while Christleton won by eight wickets at Sale, whom they routed for 62, John Ashcroft 4-26.

Marple had former Cheshire spinner Andy Greasley back from holiday and his 5-29 was decisive in a five wickets win at Mobberley, who remain in the relegation frame.