ALVANLEY openers Mark Szymura and Nick McKay took full advantage of the short boundaries at Prestbury but the visitors were forced to settle for a draw.

Szymura and McKay powered their way to an opening stand of 50 in nine overs before Szymura was out lbw for 16. McKay (108) and Andy Bennion (69) kept the run-rate up as Alvanley closed on 268-5.

A deadly bowling spell by Mark Leadbetter (4-31) ripped out the Prestbury top order and, at 99-7 off 25 overs, the hosts were in disarray.

But opening bowler Jim Nichols began to pile on the runs, helping Prestbury close at 200-8.

TATTENHALL were beaten by Hale Barns at Flacca Field.

Opting to bat first, the visitors were able to declare on 186-6, Mel Dobson finishing with a creditable 3-51.

In reply, Tattenhall lost two early wickets, but the evergreen John Hope (47) got them back on track.

Barry Mitchell (32) and Rob Okell (39) chipped in but no Tattenhall batsman went on to make a sufficiently big score and they were all out for 151.

CHOLMONDELEY will have to rediscover their scoring touch for the visit of defending champions Prest-bury tomorrow after a humiliating home defeat to Wilmslow.

Wilmslow were restricted to 173-8 thanks to encouraging efforts from Ben Briscoe (3-52), Guy Ford (1-27), Russell Walker (2-30), Ed Mason (1-22) and the fast improving Christopher Baker (3-25 from five overs).

In reply, Chum could not find their rhythm and were skittled for a disappointing 91 (Walker 34).

In Division Two, BARROW lost at home to Winsford, who lost the toss and were put into bat.

Mal Barrow and Phil Johnson made life difficult for the opening batsmen and, at 23-3, Winsford were struggling.

But they regrouped and made it to 165ao in the final over, Johnson claiming five wickets and Phil Noble four.

In reply, debutant opener Martin Stretch set about the Winsford attack, hitting two fours before being bowled.

Despite most of the batsmen getting a start, only Mal Barrow (32) made a significant contribution and Barrow were all out for 123.

In Division Three, CASTROL slumped to a four-wicket defeat in a disappointing display against a strong Old Parkonians side.

Mark Evans' men finally got their season under way following last week's fixture fiasco but a lower-order batting collapse left the skipper to lament his side's notoriously slow start to a season.

He said: 'We only have ourselves to blame for yet another opening-game defeat.'