A RECORD-BREAKING total of 343-7 by DAVENHAM was not enough to win their Division One clash as Stockport Georgians held on for a draw.

It smashed the divisional record for the highest team score by 31 runs - the previous record, held by Prestbury, was 312-4 dec.

With a new-look top order, visiting Davenham batted first and made a comfortable start, putting on 40 for the first wicket with captain Alan Wright departing for eight.

But it was his opening partner Dave Ashley who was to be the star of the game on his way to a massive individual score of 183, which contained a stunning 11 sixes and 16 fours.

Ashley and Andy Cwiklinski (44) put on 120 for the second wicket in just 12 overs and Ashley and Andy Floyd (25) added a further 80 for the third wicket.

A good late knock of 55 from Ben Gough looked like it had put the game out of Stockport Georgians' reach but the question going around the ground was had Davenham declared soon enough?

In the end, the answer was no. Stockport Georgians started their reply in a solid fashion but were clearly playing for a losing draw. Davenham had to take wickets and had 47 overs to do this, but the hosts held on with determined and stubborn batting, despite good figures of 3-18 from Louis Bentley and 3-31 from Andy Floyd off 17 overs, to finish on 177 and leave Davenham frustrated.

After last week's demoralising defeat, Davenham's 2nd XI showed more pride and determination against Stockport Georgians at Butchers Stile. Stockport Georgians declared on 238-5 from 41 overs with three wickets from Mike Burgess and two for Adam Day.

In reply, Davenham had to get off to a good start but lost opener Steve Day for three with the score on 17. His partner Tom Argent looked in control on his way to 30 but, sadly, a young middle order was unable to support him. Andy Simmons saved the game for Davenham to leave them on 160-9.

After two weeks of excellent results, hopes were high as OAKMERE entertained the league leaders Marple at Overdale Lane.

Oakmere lost the toss and were put into bat on what looked like a bowler-friendly wicket, and made steady progress until Leech was out with the score on 40. This brought the inform Eaton to the crease and the run-rate increased with some excellent strokeplay, seeing shots getting full value on the fast outfield.

The score raced on towards the 100 mark with less than 20 overs gone. Eaton then played one big shot too many and was well caught in the deep. Yearsley continued to punish anything wayward and was joined by Guilford, who also found the bowling to his liking - his first scoring shot sailing over the sightscreen for six.

As the runs passed 150 with 15 overs left, a score of 240-plus was looking a possibility, but the introduction of ex-Cheshire off-spinner Greasley slowed the run rate. Yearsley spooned a catch to mid-wicket for an excellent 71 and young Nick Guest, making his debut, was stumped as he tried to accelerate the score. Guilford continued to score freely and saw the innings out with an assault in the final over, hitting 14 to end on 47no and sending the total to 213-5 off the full 45 overs.

Marple started in style, putting on 50 in only nine overs with a combination of good fortune and powerful hitting, even though bowl-ers Norton and 16-year-old Chris Nelson

looked liked making a breakthrough at any time. A change was required and the introduction of Andy Beswick turned the game on its head. It was Norton who made the breakthrough to complete a spell of 3-28, and the off-spinner Guest then bowled a tight line to pick up two wickets to give Oakmere the chance of a win as overs ran out. Marple, however, were resolute in their defence and the innings closed on 135-8.

BARNTON were victorious against the odds in Saturday's derby match at WINSFORD's Knight's Grange.

Batting first, Barnton made steady if un-spectacular progress with openers Mike Cross and Darren Falland putting on 48 for the first wicket. But despite several good starts, no visiting batsman could craft a major innings and wickets fell steadily as Barnton at least got into the batting points. James Tierney was the star, capping a memorable week with his best bowling figures of his career, claiming 6-56. He was well supported by slow-bowling Jon Phillips (2-27).

Visiting skipper Nick Yarwood was disappointed with the closing score of 152 all out, in which Cross, Falland and Mattie Bebbington, with 26, 27 and 22 respectively, were the main contributors.

After tea, Winsford started solidly and were cruising at 90-2, but there is a depth in quality to the Barnton side that is becoming increasingly apparent. Captain Mark Nicholas (14), Ollier 25 and Phillips 28 gave the hosts a solid platform but Barnton aren't up near the top for no reason and dismantled the home side's batting order and no other Winsford batsman got into double figures

It was a superb run-out by captain Yarwood which brought the self-destruct button out for the home side, and Barnton moved up a gear to clean up the Winsford innings for 135. Phil Garner with 3-34, Neil Langham 3-24 and Falland 2-21 all came to the party as Barnton registered a third straight victory and 23 points.

BARNTON 2nds struggled badly to beat a poor Norbury side at Broomsedge, eventually scraping home by four wickets. A few late blows took Norbury to 108ao, which was likely to prove challenging to an under-strength Barnton batting line-up. But in reply, Keith Noden played his usual anchor role for 29 and Ken MacDonald proved the match-winner, producing a watchful innings punctuated by moments of extreme brutality to steer his side home with 37no. They made it home with four wickets to spare.

WEAVERHAM won the toss and elected to bat against struggling Barrow on a wicket which traditionally breaks up in the second innings. And that decision looked good with the hosts making 62-1 off the first 18 overs. But a collapse followed to leave Weaverham struggling on 110-7, and only a late-order fightback gave the home side a par 159-9.

Weaverham soon had Barrow struggling on 36-3 and they again collapsed from 102-5 to 107-8. But some stout batting from the lower order saw Barrow make it home with some lusty hitting to shock the home side.