HARTFORD bowed to their third league defeat of the season on Saturday.

Opponents Knutsford climbed to second in Cheshire Alliance Division Two as a result.

The loss for Hartford, who are fifth, was by the margin of seven wickets.

Visiting Hartford batted first and were bowled out for 95, with Adeel Bhatti being the chief destroyer with 7-32.

In reply, Knutsford sealed the win upon reaching 96-3, with Zain Ali (43) and Muhsin Ali (36no) the main contributors.

Winsford fell to a disappointing defeat as visitors Maritime won by 94 runs.

The hosts won the toss and invited Maritime to bat first, with Ben Crellin making that decision look inspired after clean-bowling opener Sockalingam Mathan with the first ball of the match.

However, they did not bank on a stunning innings from H Khan, who smashed a run-a-ball 84 to put Maritime in the ascendency.

Alagiah Suthakaran also weighed in with 37 as Maritime declared on 180-9, with James Tierney taking 4-60 for the hosts.

In reply, Winsford struggled from the outset and never really recovered from losing opener Mark Skellon without a run on the board.

Captain Mike Dickinson resisted with 20, but the hosts were eventually bowled out for just 86 in 35 overs.

This means they have still only won once this season and they sit third from bottom of the Division One table.

In Division East, Hartford’s seconds drew against their Knutsford counterparts.

Hartford made 151-9 with Raj unbeaten on 63. For Knutsford, Rob Vaughan took 5-35.

Winless Knutsford achieved their season’s first draw with 127-4.