ASTON and Sandbach were both held to draws on home soil in Saturday's Division One fixtures.
Regular Aston wicket taker Pat Beesley picked up 3-48 in Ellesmere Port's innings of 204-8 off 48 overs.
The visitors were 110-5 at one stage but managed to plunder 82 runs from their last 10 overs.
Given 42 overs to chase the runs, Aston had to settle for a draw due in part to some slow scoring in the middle of their innings. They completed their innings on 157-6 with Chris Beesley (36) and Glyn Davies (33) top scoring.
At Sandbach, the hosts declared on 188-9 with Jason Latham (53), Andy Williams (39) and Hutchin (30) the leading run makers.
Kingsley finished 13 short of victory at 176-8 with Williams getting 3-41.
In Division Two, Bunbury maintained their fine start to the season with a six-wicket win at Frodsham.
The hosts were dismissed for 84 with D Roberts taking 3-20 and R Roberts 3-37.
Bunbury reached their target for the loss of four wickets to establish a 21-point lead over Stalybridge St Paul's at the top.
Wistaston Village moved up to third on the back of an excellent six-wicket win at Disley.
Chris Townsend snaffled 4-49 as Disley were dismissed for 143. An unbeaten 54 from Steve Barnes helped Wistaston home at 144-4.
At the other end of the table, struggling Audlem were bowled out for 102 at Stalybridge St Paul's with S Woods claiming 5-21. The home side made 104-4 in reply.