CAPTAIN Rob Vaughan signed off with an unbeaten half-century for Knutsford's seconds in his final appearance before a heart operation.

He struck seven boundaries on his way to 55 not out in a Cheshire Alliance East Division encounter with their Hartford counterparts at Mereheath Lane.

Only two other batsmen reached double-digits in the hosts' 127-9.

It proved to be too small a total for them to defend, despite Vaughan taking 3-11 from seven overs, the Northwich outfit making it to their target in the 34th over with seven wickets down.

Syed Asmat Hussain took 2-35.

Knutsford's firsts lost narrowly, by a single wicket, to their Hartford counterparts in a Division Two fixture at Grange Park.

The visitors were dismissed for 146 after winning the toss, a total that ought to have been higher after openers Mohammed Musadiq (21) and Nahid Ullah (31) made a promising start.

However Praveen Pattisapu (5-36) and Rob Whittle (3-40) slowed them down, prompting John Sheridan (35no) hold the innings together.

Hartford squeezed home at 148-9.

Adeel Bhatti (4-49) and Riswan Hasnain (4-23) - the latter's 14 overs including seven maidens - kept Knutsford in the contest up until the finish.

Matthew Tasker (20no) was leading scorer for the home team.

Knutsford hosts Rylands in Division Two this Saturday, from 1.30pm.

The second string travel to Appleton thirds the same day.