ALVANLEY remain in a mid-table position in Division One after a tie at Cholmondeley, who are still rooted at the bottom and seem favourites for the drop.

Alvanley chose to field first and after 13 tight overs from 18-year-olds Greg Erasmus and Chris Jones, Andy Donohue came on to bowl and the first wicket fell in his first over.

Dan Riley at the other end kept the runs down and the wickets falling steadily, and restricted the score to 127-8 off 45 overs. Donohue ended with figures of 16 overs and five wickets for just 35 runs.

Alvanley started well, not scoring quickly but without losing wickets. Donohue (28) and Ian Charles (15) looked comfortable, but the pitch was not holding up well and the slow bowl-ers once again gained success.

Wickets fell steadily and with Cei Sanderson (15) and Peter Pearce (20) scoring well, victory looked inevitable.

It was left to number 11 Chris Jones (2) and Mark Szymura (12 not out) to get seven runs off the last over, but they could manage only six, leaving the game as a tie.

Alvanley seconds enjoyed a glorious victory, Jim Ackerley scoring a league record 200 not out, with 32 fours and four sixes, and a huge team score of 327-2 off just 38 overs.

Cholmondeley, in return, were unable to match the batting prowess of Alvanley and were dismissed for just 82, James Ryder claiming 3-14 runs.

MALPAS bowler Simon Hopper claimed 6-53 to help send visitors Lymm back for 169, but that was too big a total for Malpas, who could manage only 143-8 after recovering from 40-4.

Mark Davies top-scored with 39 and Johnny Suckley chipped in with 38.

The seconds cruised to a 10-wicket victory at Lymm, who were bowled out for 97, thanks mainly to Dave Parry (4-16) and Martin Punnett (3-45).

Andy Price (54no) and Ian Rees (30no) guided Malpas to victory.

Alderley Park were on a run of five successive victories and challenging for promotion, but they met their match in DivisionThree leaders BARROW.

Park won the toss and decided to bat on a good-looking wicket.

The Barrow opening attack of John Williams and Mal Barrow produced an excellent spell of accurate bowling, dismissing the first three bats with the score on 32.

A double change of bowling worked as planned with both Dave Downham and Chris Cowell taking wickets.

The Alderley innings closed on 99 all out, with four overs to spare. All the Barrow bowlers produced excellent contributions, with Downham taking three wickets.

The Barrow reply started aggressively with Paul Rothery scoring 14 off the first over. In the third over, with the bowlers finding a better line and length, two wickets fell in successive deliveries, leaving Barrow in some trouble.

Opener John Davies was joined by Phil Noble and these batsmen steadied the ship, gradually putting together a match-winning stand of 66 runs.

The game was won in the 27th over, with Noble scoring 46 not out.

This victory keeps Barrow firmly at the top of the league, with only seven games left.

Barrow seconds maintained their championship challenge with a convincing eight-wickets victory at Run-corn, who were bowled out for 144 (Mark Griffiths 5-45).

Barrow reached their target, thanks mainly to Martin Booth (42), Gavin Rowlands (31no), Roger Davies (23 and Dave Banks (15no).