CHOLMONDELEY won the bragging rights in their Division One derby at Malpas on Saturday.

Put in on a sticky wicket, the hosts were soon in trouble, slumping to 17-4 before Keith Rickett (40) and Adrian Stubbs (22) restored some pride.

At 95-8 Malpas were still in danger of not gaining any batting points, but a partnership of 30 between Eddie Barlow and Tom Peak helped secure four points as they were bowled for 125.

Chums bowlers Richard Cooke and Neil Thompson took five top-order wickets between them and young pacemen Daniel Morris and Guy Ford snapped up a brace each.

Cholmondeley coasted home with 10 balls and six wickets to spare thanks to solid knocks from Guy Ford (50no) and Hayden Holloway (45).

ALVANLEY slumped to a six-wicket defeat against promotion-chasing visitors Oakmere. They crawled to 128ao before Oakmere put on 129-4.

In Division Two, BARROW put Weaverham in on a damp strip and proceeded to beat the visiting side.

Bowlers Phil Johnson and Phil Noble (2-16) tied them up well early on. After 20 overs, Weaverham were 53-3 and in need of a big-hitter.

But he never came and they ended on 129ao with Sam Walker Barrow's star bowler with six wickets.

The home reply was upset by a minor collapse when the team were on the brink of victory.

Opener Nick Bell started in good form, gradually accumulating runs and combined with his young partner Matt Hughes, the Barrow total looked healthy at 76-3. The loss of Bell for 37 and Hughes for 22 led to a slight wobble and, with two overs left and 12 runs required, the game was in the balance.

Then Brett Balac took charge, hitting an effortless six and a host of other big shots. In the final over, last man and captain Dave Ellwood dispatched his first ball to give Barrow a well earned victory with 130-9.

CHESTER COUNTY OFFICERS' first-ever meeting with Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge was one to forget for the Greater Manchester visitors.

CCO batted first and put on 193-6 after openers Mike Rowlands and Ian Barlow rode their luck to score 54 and 41 respectively. The last 20 overs saw 111 runs added, thanks in part to Mike Pownall's 36.

In reply, Ladybridge could manage only 93 as CCO skittled them in double-quick time. After skipper Weir played on to Graham Wilks for 13, every attempt to force the pace ended in dis-aster as all six Chester bowlers took wickets.