MARK Jones starred as Alberbury climbed into the top five of Henshalls League One with a five wicket win over Ellesmere at Pecknall Farm.

Matthew Bevan (3-26) led the home attack with support from James Bird (2-46) and Myles Thomas (2-23) who included the key wicket of Matthew Lewis (23) to restrict Mere to 123.

Ashley Thomas (4-45) led Mere’s attack in reply with Mike Crawshaw (11) caught by James Harrison before Jordan Zaza (33) was caught by Troy Newton.

Thomas continued to erode the Alberbury order as Charles Bourne was snared LBW for nine and James Hearle fell for a duck before James Harrap (4) was caught by Lewis off Felix Ashley (1-11).

However Jones (48no) was not to be denied and was joined by Bevan (15no) in an unbroken sixth wicket stand to guide Alberbury to 126-5 and a comfortable victory in the 31st over.