On a miserable Saturday of frequent showers, Chester County Officers had to settle for a draw from their home encounter against  Hale Barns in Division One.

A docile wicket and wet ball enabled Hale Barns to rattle up 182-1 as they made the early running.

John Warrington worked hard from both ends but managed to claim only 1-60 in his  18 overs, with the Hale Barns duo of C Collins (85no) and Aussie R Phelan (86no) putting up a strong total of 182.

In reply, Chester started solidly before Dave Downham dabbled outside the off stump to be caught behind for nine. Josh Sivier (37) came in at three and played some delightful drives to raise optimism for a victory but was stumped lunging at the experienced Dave Saddington.

With Steve Birchall holding up his end, Scott Adams (19) and Chris Wright (21) played some expansive shots , but wickets fell and victory eluded County Officers. With 124-6 the final score for Officers, they gleaned five points to Hale Barns 15.

Henry Wilson-Theaker’s 52 could not prevent Malpas from falling to an eight-wicket defeat at the hands of Billington.

Malpas lost the toss and were elected to bat first by their visitors, with Wilson-Theaker opening their spell at the crease in impressive fashion.

Maneesha Nissanka helped aid the Malpas offensive with 44 but the rest of the home batting order failed to fire as they ended their 45-over spell at 144-8.

Billington made them pay as openers Richard Hough (58) and Tom Barrass (62) helped them to a comfortable 145-2 total.

Paul Yearsley’s 39 was the highlight for Oakmere as they were beaten by four wickets at home to Stockport Georgians.

In Division Two, Cholmondeley drew at home to Woodford, with the wet weather playing a huge part in proceedings.

Batting first, Woodford declared at 188-5, leaving the home side with just 30 overs to chase the target, eventually finishing on 52-7 as rain stopped play six times.

Gareth Hughes it a half-century but couldn’t stop Barrow from slipping to a four-wicket defeat at Winnington Park, who had Billy D’Arcy to thank with an excellent 94. Barrow elected to bat and knocked 189-7 off 45 overs, but the home side hit 196-6 to seal the victory.

Bunbury emerged victorious from their trip to Lymm Oughtrington Park, claiming a four-wicket triumph.

Elsewhere, Kingsley’s game at Ashley was another game to fall victim to the wet weather as it was forced to be abandoned early in proceedings.