OAKMERE dipped out of the early First Division title pacesetting group with a poor performance at home to Barrow.

On an unpredictable wicket, Barrow did well to make 155-6 in their 45 overs. Craig Phelan (3-50) had some modest success with the ball.

Chris Leech (26) and Paul Yearsley put on 26 for the first wicket but then the aptly named Mal Barrow (4-14) destroyed Oakmere's top order, reducing the home side to a pitiful 46-7.

Peter Hutchinson (17no) and Jon Owen came together with 21 overs to go and forged a grim match-saving partnership to see Oakmere to 70-7.

Eddie Gibson (6-41) and a wicket apiece by Chris Nelson, Nick Porter and Mike Cushion restricted Alvanley 2nds to 126-9. Ian Morgan (51) and Phil Guest (21) led the charge to victory at 127-5.

Clare Lishman top-scored with 54, Jane Tarpey hit 53 and Shami Ahmed and Lisa Foden 26 each as Oakmere Ladies rattled up 217-7 against Hyde, who were dismissed for just 47 on Sunday. Tarpey took 4-5.

DAVENHAM 157-2 improved their prospects with an excellent win at Mere 156-5 dec.

WEAVERHAM 1st were frustrated by the weather, their game at Prestbury being called off without a ball being bowled.

The 2nds completed their game at home to Prestbury but lost by seven wickets.

Opener Phil Harris carried his bat for 72 and shared two excellent partnerships, of 87 with Richard Goodier (47) and 116 for the second wicket with son Mark Harris (63), who fell off the final ball, Weaverham 203-2. But Prestbury's bats took control and worked their way to 204-3.

BARNTON held out for a draw at Cholmondeley.

Skipper Steve Yarwood asked the hosts to bat and it seemed their openers were playing Twenty-20 cricket as they set about Barnton's attack.

Bebbington and Langham were the pick of the Barnton bowlers with figures of 2-44 and 2-26 respectively as Cholmondeley batted their full 45 overs to finish on 222-6.

But their decision not to declare proved costly. Barnton made eight from the first over then lost their openers successively.

Paul Coot made a welcome return to form with 43 but partnerships couldn't be formed and only Roger Whitehouse with 38no (and 21 extras) made a significant contribution as Barnton closed on 151-9.

WINSFORD'S game at Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge was a non-starter, but the 2nds managed a brave losing draw at Knight's Grange against Runcorn after the visitors smashed 245-6 in their allotted overs.

Seven Winsford bowlers tried to stop the onslaught and Phil Jones (2-46), Chris Webb (2-54), Steve Webb (1-31) and Phil Doman (1-18) were the wicket takers.

Winsford's reply started promisingly with Webb (31) making the most of promotion up the order. Mark Skellon batted patiently for 41no and received enough support to steer Winsford to 129-6.