CRICKET: OILMEN skipper Ian Silcock felt that his side should have secured victory in Upton on Saturday, but it was the County Officers who took the lion's share of the points in their drawn match.

Silcock won the toss, put the hosts in to bat and Castrol got off to a cracking start as Clarke was removed with the first delivery of the match with a catch by Evans off Ball and the same pair then accounted for the dangerous Hattersley (12).

Caulfield (15) was Garvey's (2-38) first victim with a fine running catch by Ball, then Collard (33) was run out by Silcock and Evans. Wright (0) was next out with Evans taking his third catch off the bowling of Garvey, with Castrol well on top.

Johnson (25) played some lusty blows until the reintroduction of Ball (4-68) saw his middle stump removed, and Watts (2) then received a similar delivery and his middle stump was also removed.

But some excellent batting by I Barlow (74no) and a fortunate 15 not out by his brother Andy, coupled with some wayward bowling and four dropped catches, conspired to allow Chester to achieve 195-7 from their allotted 48 overs.

Castrol's openers got off to a cautious start with only 30 coming from the first 15 overs, but Brumby then decided to up the tempo with Clarke's fourth over going for 18.

Flanagan (25) was caught by Collard off Wright (4-54) while Brumby (37) went lbw and King (0) was bowled next ball.

MoM Darren Green joined Garvey (17) and 51 had been added when Johnson caught the latter at backward square, while Hutchinson went for a duck, bowled by A Barlow (3-43).

Andy Walters had helped Green (52) push the score to 154 when the latter picked out Ian Barlow in the deep to give Wright his fourth wicket, although he has passed 50 on 6 occasions in 11 knocks this season to average over 70.

Ball (0) was next man out, bowled by Barlow, while Walters (10) was run out attempting a suicidal single.

Silcock (15no) joined Evans (7), who was then run out, and although the victory chase had long gone, the skipper helped his side to grab an extra batting point.

Chester CO took 15 points and Castrol eight.

Matchball sponsored by Frank McLeods Driveways and Patios.

* Castrol Tessuti are at home to Parkside on Saturday.