MALPAS struggled in their Division One opener at home to Runcorn and were hanging on for a draw at the close of play.

The visitors reached 157-6 with Dave Hunt taking the bowling honours with 3-54. In reply, Malpas were going well at 97-4 but collapsed to 114-9, despite knocks by Mike Parry (49) and Hunt (20).

The seconds had a bad day at home to Runcorn who posted 209-3, two of the wickets falling to teenager Danny Lloyd. Malpas offered little resistance in reply and were all out for 73, Neil Smith top-scoring with 21.

Malpas are at Stockport Georgians tomorrow. Barrow settled for a draw in their first match in the first division against Wilmslow. With Gareth Pawlett winning the toss and inserting the opposition on a damp wicket, expectations of an early breakthrough were high.

The opening bowlers Rupert Bagnall and Phil Johnson produced a series of searching deliveries, but the openers defended with skill.

With the score reaching 62-1 off the first 20 overs, the game was in the balance. But Wilmslow's opener batted with precision to reach a fine 50.

Despite an excellent spell of seam bowling from Peter Balac, the Wilmslow batters accelerated and with the bowling lacking the necessary accuracy, they finished their innings on 199-7, Chris Cowell taking four wickets.

Barrow's reply was promising, reaching 50-1 off 16 overs, but despite a good platform, the batsman failed to accelerate with Nick Bell and Phil Noble dismissed in the low 20s.

An aggressive display of controlled hitting from Pawlett (42no) came too late with Barrow finishing on 168-7. The seconds had an emphatic victory over Lymm.

Barrow entertain Davenham tomorrow, helped by the return of Mal Barrow. nOakmere continued last season's second division title form with an easy victory at Mere. Andy Beswick (4-23) took advantage of a slow, damp pitch and Mere were 80-8 before making 105ao (Craig Phelan 2-27).

Oakmere were in trouble at 10-2 but Paul Guilford (27) pulled the innings round and Ian Eaton (44no) and Paul Hutchinson (20no) shared a stand of 48 to see Oakmere home at 106-4. nAlvanley started their season in Division Two with a visit to Lymm and were happy to win the toss to evaluate the soft pitch. Lymm started cautiously, losing an early wicket, and struggled to accumulate runs against the tight line bowled by James Rowlinson and Mark Leadbetter.

Australian newcomer Nick McKay had difficulty finding the right length to bowl and was rested after six overs, which allowed Phil Jones to join Peter Pearce and frustrate the Lymm batsmen, which resulted in a farcical run-out.

McKay returned and struck twice in his first over. Pressure told as batsmen struggled and Lymm's innings closed at 137-9 (McKay 4-39 Pearce 3-53).

Alvanley's openers had been tasked with mastering the pace of the wicket. Both failed and at 6-3, they were in a mess. Captain Glenn Pickersgill and Jones built a healthy partnership of 71 before Jones perished trying a big shot. There were nerves as Alvanley lost three more wickets, but Pickersgill stayed calm and saw his team home with a couple of overs to spare, finishing with an excellent 84 not out. Alvanley host Barnton tomorrow.

Ed Middleton fell eight runs short of an early season ton as Cholmondeley declared on 211-4 against Pott Shrigley. In reply, Pott Shrigley were skittled for 103.

The seconds hit 154 at Oakmere helped by a fine contribution (64) from skipper Mal Holman. Oakmere edged to a three-wicket win with eight balls to spare.

Wirral (109) lost at Barnton (177-3 dec) and there was also no joy for Port Sunlight who fell by 95 runs at Over Peover.