TATTENHALL returned to form in Division Two on Saturday with a winning draw at home to derby rivals Malpas.

A marathon 160-run partnership between openers John Hope (91) and Baz Street (83) got the hosts off to a flier, racking up a big score without too much trouble.

Mark Goldsmith (3-49) prevented Hope getting his century before dismissing Tom Hyslop for a duck, while Maneesha Nissanka (4-20) prevented any further big scores from the home side.

Tattenhall declared on 234-7 after 48 overs, leaving Malpas 52 overs to overcome a challenging total.

Opening batsman Keith Rickett posted a useful 52, while Anthony Crabb (39) and Henry Wilson-Theaker (36) gave Malpas some hope of achieving the required target.

However, Malpas ran out of steam and finished on 213-9 after a nervy batting collapse toward the conclusion of their innings.

Street was just as deadly with the ball as with the bat, taking 4-62.

Tattenhall lie mid-table but Malpas remain second-bottom.

In Division One, CHRISTLETON took advantage of the out-of-form Marple’s early declaration to ease to a well-earned win.

Title-leaders Marple were restricted to 175-5 from 50 overs and Christleton had little trouble in surpassing that with 179-4.

Iroshan De Silva (41) topped a fine all-round performance from the Chester side, who remain comfortably in mid-table after sending Marple to their third defeat out of the last four.

Elsewhere, OULTON PARK lifted themselves off the foot of the Premier Division with a thrilling victory at home to Alderley Edge.

The visitors had racked up a daunting 278-9 from their 55 overs and Oulton faced an uphill struggle when they lost two early wickets in reply.

But a magnificent 161 from Martyn East and a fine 75 from Nick James guided the hosts over the line at 278-9 with three balls to spare, despite losing a flurry of quick wickets toward the end.

NESTON did their prospects of remaining in the top flight a power of good with 17 points from a high-scoring draw against Macclesfield at Parkgate.

David Hurst hit form with a fine innings of 103no in Neston’s 263-7, Luke Pavlinovitch assisting with 48 and Rob Porter claiming 5-77.

Macclesfield fell short of this target as they reached 251-9, with Paul Stimson’s left-arm spin earning him 5-84.