A FINE debut from overseas player James Crichton was not enough for Malpas on Saturday as they lost at home to Ashley.

The hosts opted to bat first after winning the toss and New Zealander Crichton made 62 to help his new team post 180ao (Ben Walker 52).

Crichton, 19, then showed he is no mug with the ball either, but his 3-41 was not enough to prevent Ashley from reaching 181-8 in the final over. Mark Goldsmith took 4-54 for Malpas, who visit Ashton-on-Mersey tomorr ow.

CHOLMONDELEY made a winning start to the Division One season with a six-wicket victory at Runcorn.

The hosts elected to bat but were restricted to 168 all out in 45 overs.

Andrew Latham bagged 5-59, Neil Thompson 2-37, Richie Cooke 1-26 and Ed Middleton 1-27.

The remaining wicket was a direct-hit run out by Mark Jones.

Chums knocked off the runs in 40 overs thanks to a partnership of 130 from Ed Middleton (69) and Will Hockenhull (59).

Tomorrow, Chums are at home to Davenham.

The bowlers were on top at ALVANLEY, where the hosts slumped to defeat against promoted Ashton-on-Mersey.

Alvanley batted first and dipped to 23-5. Andy Senior and Chris Fletcher pushed the total to 42 but Senior was caught for 12 trying to spread the fielders.

Fletcher accumulated runs slowly as he tried to use up overs, but he kept losing par tners.

At 75-9 off 37 overs, Fletcher decided he had to take the attack to Ashton, but he was bowled for a hard-earned 22.

Alvanley made a good attempt at bowling out their visitors, reducing them to 64-6. But Ashton crawled to their target in 27 overs.

In Division Two, BARROW claimed a comfortable victory at Winsford.

At 34-2, Barrow looked to be in trouble but their batsmen were severe with anything pitched short and the young home fielders struggled manfully with a bouncy outfield as the visitors pulled away to 182-7 declared.

Winsford's first five bats fell for just 16 and they were tumbled out for just 82.

In Division Three, promoted CHESTER COUNTY OFFICERS had to settle for a home draw in their clash with Chelford.

CCO made excellent progress after captain Steve Johnson won the toss and elected to bat, taking the score to 43 before Mike Rowlands fell for 21.

With the bowlers finding their length, Steve Holland, Ian Barlow and Gareth Roberts went quickly with the score at a rocky 53-4.

But opener Tony Hattersley was entrenched at one end and found a willing ally in Chris Wright (38). The duo took the total to 124 before Hattersley was out for a typically solid and elegant 62.

Further wickets fell as CCO finished up on 167-8.

In reply, Chelford slumped to 72-5 after a superb spell of three wickets in two overs by Mike Clarke.

Chelford had to dig in with 17 overs left and they battled their way to 145-8 (Andy Barlow 2-35, Clarke 3-12, Johnson 2-14).