THE worst weather of the season saw only five out of 18 games played in the Murray Smith Cheshire County League.

There were two winners in the First Division where Upton knocked Widnes out of the promotion frame and Congleton deepened Birkenhead Park's relegation problems.

In the ECB Premier League where only two matches were started, Oulton Park failed to break their home duck when their ability to part Neston's last pair, skipper Dave Collyer and Dave Jones cost them 10 additional points which would have boosted their title ambitions.

As it was Oulton had to be content with 13 points from a game which started on time in dry weather, and finished in gloom seven hours later.

Batting after tea, Neston were reduced to 144/9 (Simon Marshall 67, Chris Jones 5/37) after Park had posted 198/9 declared, Jason Whittaker 78.

Leg spinners Dave Jones and Marshall shared six of the Oulton wickets bowling 36 of the 55 overs delivered.

In a match at Werneth Low in which the start was delayed until 4.15pm permitting the minimum of 60 overs' play, Bramhall rattled up 225/6 in 35 at 6.43 runs per over with a rapid 125 by Richard Green his third century of the season.

Hyde were left with 25 overs and reached 154/7 (6.2 per over), Dave Fitzsimmons 71, Ewan McCray 4/71.

Bramhall took nine points and Hyde eight to render the efforts of Peter Hardman and his ground staff worthwhile.

The effect of the points gained in these two games is to close up the top four clubs to within 16 points.

Leaders Bowdon still have a match in hand, however, which will be played on Bank Holiday Monday against Alderley Edge.

The bottom two Grappenhall and Cheadle Hulme, whose games were rained off against Macclesfield and Nantwich respectively, remain locked together on 103 points, 63 adrift of Chester Boughton Hall 10th, who had their second successive match washed out.

In Division One, Widnes managed to bank only three points from a nine wickets defeat at Upton and forfeited second place to Oxton, whose cancelled match at Warrington, earned them seven - and a leg up back into the second promotion spot.

Last time beaten nine games ago on June 15, Widnes were dismissed for 128, Phil Catterall 40, Simon McGowan 4/37 and 15 year-old Lee Dixon 3/37.

Upton went on to win comfortably with Ian Potter and Nick Rivett unbeaten on 56 and 30 respectively.

Park are now 47 points adrift of 10th placed Brooklands and can be said to be in a tight spot.