A DERBY upset was never on the cards as Barrow failed to make a dent in neighbouring Alvanley’s Division One promotion push on Saturday.
Barrow won the toss and batted first on a flat, hard Alvanley wicket but were skittled easily by the hosts.
Opening bowler Lee Ainsworth made the breakthrough before it became the Dave Shewring and Rob Fisher show. Both finding occasional turn, Barrow’s middle order could not find a way of scoring against them. Backed up by sharp catching and a brilliant leg-side stumping from Chris Fletcher, the visitors limped to 80ao.
Shewring ended with 4-31 while Fisher's figures were extraordinary – five wickets for just nine runs in 15 overs!
Alvanley set about their target in brisk fashion. Skipper Andy Bennion and Shewring played an array of drives and pleasant back-foot shots to post 50 in nine overs before Shewring fell for 25. The loss of Ben Pearce for 13 did not stop Alvanley romping home in the 14th over with Bennion finishing on a commanding 39no.
MALPAS fell at Congleton after setting 148ao (Adrian Stubbs 52, Rishan Fernando 21).
Their pursuit of the top teams stalled however as Congleton replied with 152-8 (John Suckley 6-37).
KINGSLEY halted their recent slump with a battling draw at Runcorn in Division Two.
The hosts made a solid 154-9 (Travis Martin 3-47, Rob Massey 3-35).
A heavy shower during tea reduced Kingsley’s overs to 38 and their top order had a torrid time, but a spirited half-century partnership between Martin (35no) and Adrian Burden (23no) helped them bat for a draw.
CHOLMONDELEY set 236-7dec but couldn’t get Bowdon Vale (151-9) out as they drew.
In Division Three, CHESTER COUNTY OFFICERS lost by six wickets at Lindow, their cause hindered by a stroke of misfortune.
After setting 140ao (Chris Wright 35, Mike Dickenson 33, Tony Hattersley 31), Chester knew they were going to struggle against the league leaders.
But some skilful swing bowling saw them pin Lindow down and the home side were 37-3 when the ball was lost irretrievably in a hedge.
The replacement ball had no swing, allowing Lindow to get on top of the bowlers and reach their target more comfortably than they ought to.
BUNBURY hosted Wirral and were set a total of 242ao to chase.
They ran out of steam and wickets however and closed on 201-7.
