Stalybridge St Pauls’ first XI enjoyed a battling performance against Appleton but it still wasn’t enough.

The Saints made 189 all out with Appleton replying with 183- 8.

Despite the best efforts of the in-form R.Wright (41) and Nigel Burrows (39), McClellan’s (6-45) dismissed most of the home side. The reply from Appleton was equally measured with A Hurst (65) and D Hurst (57) both reaching their half-centuries.

However the bowling of H Rafi (3-37) ensured that the Saints were always within reach of victory and were desperately unlucky not to finish with maximum points.

The second team lost to Appleton’s 4ths. Skipper Brian Stone decided to bat first but wickets fell at regular intervals and Stalybridge were 73-8 before a mini recovery pushed the final total up to 126.

In the reply, two early wickets from James Brady gave the visitors hope, but a quick-fire 50 from Rashid looked to have taken the game away from the Saints. But that was before a blistering spell from M.Connolly (6 - 43) which meant the impossible was possible. The home side needed a last wicket partnership of 17 runs, which they nervously got.

The first team are at home to Knutsford on the Saturday and on Sunday the second team travel to Appleton in the quarter-finals of the second eleven cup.