MALPAS did their hopes of avoiding relegation a power of good on Saturday by defeating Davenham by eight wickets.

Davenham lived to regret their decision to bat first on the rain-affected Malpas wicket.

Seamers Mark Goldsmith (4-47) and Jon Suckley (4-36) made the most of the conditions. Only a dogged innings from skipper Dave Ashley (38) enabled the visitors to reach a meagre total of 108 in the 32nd over.

Malpas opener Keith Rickett went for a duck but Ben Walker (52) and Adrian Stubbs (51no) formed a potent partnership that brought victory in the 22nd over.

CHOLMONDELEY held second- placed OAKMERE to a draw.

Visitors Oakmere posted 178-8 with seamer Rich Cooke bagging 5-62 and Mark Jones bagging 3-47 with his off-breaks.

The Chums replied with 142-8 with 16-year-old opener Josh Maddocks hitting 20, number five Rob Brown getting 40 and number four Mark Jones chipping in with 30.

Tomorrow, Cholmondeley travel to Runcorn for a must-win match against their fellow strugglers. Realistically, it’s the Chums last hope of avoiding relegation.

For the second week running, rain thwarted ALVANLEY’S victory push as they had to settle for a draw despite steamrollering visitors Runcorn from ball one.

Alvanley openers Andy Bennion and Nick Geddis (29) raced along, putting on 70 for the first wicket before Bennion fell for an excellent 42.

Ben Pearce (26) and Marcus Gilbert (17) chipped in with useful runs but the star of the show was captain Mark Szymura, whose run-a-ball 43 carried Alvanley to their highest score of the season – 186-6.

Runcorn were never in the game from there on. James Wheelahan removed the top five in his first 10 overs and Pete Pearce weighed in with a brace to add to Runcorn’s woes. When Wheelahan (6-28) bagged his sixth, Runcorn were on the brink at 45-8.

Then came the rain, taking a huge chunk out of the game. The clouds parted to allow time for Pearce to take the visitors’ ninth wicket but the last pair dug in to salvage a draw.

In Division One, second-placed BARROW picked up a welcome win over visitors Bowdon Vale to keep ahead of the promotion-chasing pack.

The visitors slumped to 22-2 but a fightback from the middle order made it possible for them to reach 130-9, wickets going to Phil Johnson, Mal Barrow, Marlon Barclay and Phil Noble.

The Barrow innings started slowly with Matt Hughes (24) and Nick Bell (48) putting on 50 before leaving it to the middle order of Barclay, Lee Dwyer and Gareth Pawlett to finish the job and take their side to 134-3.

CHESTER COUNTY OFFICERS were never in the hunt as they lost heavily to Prestbury.

Condemned to field first on a tremendous wicket and outfield, CCO struggled to contain Prestbury’s rampant openers and the visitors eventually finished on 213-4.

Alen Roberts was again the pick of the bowlers with 1-40 in 13 overs, while Mike Rowlands picked up a couple of late wickets.

After tea, the Prestbury battery of pace bowlers found extra life in the wicket. Only Tony Hattersley put up any resistance, last out for a defiant 42 as relegation-threatened CCO were all out for 97.

In Division Three, KINGSLEY now need only a single point from their remaining three games to go up after an emphatic victory at home to third-placed rivals Stretton.

The away team’s batsmen failed to build the platform that they badly needed to keep their promotion hopes alive as Travis Martin (3-15) passed 50 wickets for the season and made life very tricky for the top order. Wickets fell at regular intervals as Stretton failed to deal with the accuracy of all of Kingsley’s bowlers, in particular Matt Ollier’s leg spin which also claimed three victims.

After they capitulated to a dismal 62ao, Kingsley opener John Elliott attacked after a first-ball scare and led his team home for the loss of only two wickets in only 16 overs.

BUNBURY were soundly beaten at Stockport, who hit 105-1 in reply to the visitors’ 104ao.

Alvanley’s end-of-season jazz ball takes place on Saturday, September 20. Ticket enquiries to Andy Bennion on 07812 207571.