JOHN O'Sullivan hit exactly 100, but victory eluded Northwich at home to Ellesmere Port.

For the second time this season they failed to remove the last man, but they remain in the promotion driving seat.

John Hughes and Mark Phillips put on 44 in the first nine overs, but this was quickly transformed into 55-4 before O'Sullivan and John Cartwright reasserted the North-wich innings.

They put on 138 for the fifth wicket, O'Sullivan's century coming in 14 overs and including 14 fours and four sixes.

Cartwright was out for 42 off the last ball of the innings, Northwich 206-6 dec.

A swarm of bees over the Moss Farm pitch scattered players and spectators alike during the tea interval and, as play resumed, the Northwich bowlers were not buzzing.

Ellesmere Port did not make a genuine attempt at a run chase and, while Pete Gibbon (4-35) ensured a steady fall of wickets, it did not precipitate a collapse and the last pair held out for the final 15 balls for the draw at 164-9.

O'Sullivan said: 'I am proud to have scored my first century for Northwich and if we continue to take 15 points per match we won't be far off the top in September.'

Northwich 2nds continued their upward march, bowling out Ellesmere Port for 106 and using just under 22 overs to knock up 109-5.

Glinoj Cherian took 4-22 and a stand of 44 between Ashley Sefton (29no) and Dean Kendrick (27no) corrected the Northwich innings after it had stumbled to 65-5.

Northwich 3rds were beaten by seven wickets by Wirral on Sunday but contained nine players aged 14 or under and were captained by the only senior in the team, Mike Eddison.

Northwich scored 212ao but were overhauled at 214-3.

Matthew Hamman and Craig Douglas shared an opening stand of 41. Douglas then shared in a second-wicket partnership of 48 with Matthew Jamieson before departing for 38. Jamieson went on to achieve his maiden half-century for the club, hitting 54. Mike Whitehead was unlucky to be run out for 27 and Johnny Hallam scored 21 on his senior debut.

Northwich's 1st XI League Knockout at Chester County Officers on Sunday was abandoned because of rain.

Juniors: U11s - Northwich drew with Runcorn; U9s - Northwich beat Elworth by 54 runs; U15s - Cheshire Cup: Northwich 124-8 (Lee Evans 55) beat Congleton 46-6 (Chris Yearsley 2-6); League: Northwich 135-7 (Evans 36, Martin East 35) beat Cheadle 79; U13s - County League Shield:

Marple 126-5 (Chris Yearsley 3-3) North-wich 128-0 (Mike Dodd, Stuart Plant, Yearsley, all 30 ret); U19s - Davenham 146-5 beat Northwich 100-8 (Evans 32, Luke Harrison 24).

HARTFORD'S run of seven consecutive victories was brought to a halt by the weather and hosts Frodsham.

They elected to bat first and got quick runs through Matt Shinkfield (32). At 71-3 after only 16 overs, the heavens opened and 36 overs were lost out of the game. On resumption, Hartford lost two more quick wickets and the rebuilding was left to Brian Harkin, with some big shots in his 33, and Rob Whittle, who finished un-beaten on 34, to push the total to 150-7 in 30 overs.

Frodsham were never likely to mount a serious challenge after Harkin dismissed the openers on his way to collecting 4-30. Frod-sham finished on 77-6 as the game petered out into a draw.