CHOLMONDELEY are hoping to find consistency to aid a Division One title bid.

Last season, they powered to the top with a blistering start, but poor form slowly crept in and they slipped down to the bottom half of the division.

Now new captain Guy Ford hopes to spearhead a more successful campaign. He will be backed by vice-captain Neil Thompson.

New Zealander Hayden Holloway, who has played for the Waganui province, has signed for the club, while youngsters Jim Middleton, James O'Brien and Will Hockenhull have been promoted to the first team.

Hopes are high that gifted all-rounder Russ Walker may play for the club again, but batsman Luke Heritage has left.

ALVANLEY warmed up for tomorrow's home match with Ashton-on-Mersey by drawing at Runcorn in a friendly last weekend.

The visitors opted to bat first and posted 221-4 off their 40 overs.

Mark Szymura and Glenn Pickersgill built a good second wicket partnership of more than 120, with Szymura retiring on 61 to give some of the other batsmen time in the middle. Pickersgill followed his captain's example three overs later, retiring with 69 runs to his name.

In reply, Runcorn scraped their way to 160-9 at the close.

James Rowlinson and Chris Charles bowled well with the new ball and removed Runcorn's top three batsmen with only 21 runs on the board, but the hosts managed to battle their way to a draw.

Relegated from the Cheshire League last season, MALPAS will be looking to bounce back at the first attempt.

The founder of the club's main sponsor, Australian Bradley Rosser of Inside Track, has been appointed president.

Malpas have lost the Tong brothers, Paul and Neil, but have brought in Chester resident and former New Zealand one-day international Ron Hart from Grappenhall and young New Zealander James Crichton from Sale.

Johnny Suckley will captain the first team while Robbie McWilliams takes over the seconds and Tommy Lloyd will skipper the Sunday XI.

The off-season has seen a number of changes at BARROW, who visit Winsford in Division Two tomorrow.

Dave Ellwood has been installed as new first XI captain and his squad is boosted by four new signings.

Top order batsman and medium/fast bowler Bret Balac joins from Chester Boughton Hall, while South African all-rounder Steve Yates - a leg spinner and aggressive batsman - will combine playing with coaching the first XI and juniors.

Qualifying for a British passport through his Scottish father, Yates is not classed as an overseas player.

The final two signings are father-and-son duo Phil and Joe Desormeaux. Both are top-order batsman, with Joe adding a bit of bite with the ball.

In a further boost, opening bowler Sam Walker is now able to commit himself fully for the 2007 season, having been limited to only a handful of appearances last year due to studying commitments and a major shoulder injury.