MORE than 400 runs were scored for the loss of only 12 wickets as Mough-land Lane proved a batsman's paradise on Saturday.
Chasing Oakmere's 240-6, Runcorn came close to neither victory or defeat with the Meller Braggins Cheshire League Division One clash drawn.
Oakmere made 240-6 with Runcorn scoring 178-6 in reply.
Oakmere skipper Paul Yearsley, who won the toss, had joined Chris Leech (49) to put on 116 for the first wicket. When this fell in the 29th over, there was no respite for the Runcorn bowl-ers. Yearsley and Iain Eaton (51) added 96 for the second wicket - in just 39 minutes -and the visiting captain was finally bowled by Jack Weston for 107 with the total past 200.
Runcorn's bowlers had a spirited late burst, Weston finished with 2-47 and Steven Sheakey 4-73, and made a brisk start with Steve Bebbington's quick 27 before being caught behind.
Iain Williams added 18 to take the score on to 69-5 in the 18th over.
Skipper Jamie Hill (26) hit 42 with Steve Ollerenshaw for the sixth wicket and Mike Wakefield added 18no.
Ollerenshaw was undefeated on 62 but Runcorn had to settle for eight points to Oakmere's 13.
Alvanley secured 23 points in victory over visiting Bowdon Vale to extend their lead in Division Two.
They now look forward to Saturday's trip to Lindow, though frontline bowler James Rowlinson will be absent.
Despite losing the toss and being invited to bat on a slow track, Alvanley demonstrated their battling qualities.
The dismissals of Cei Sanderson for a duck, Mark Szymura (19) and in-form captain Glenn Pickersgill (4) left the hosts 28-3 off 12 overs. Nick McKay and Phil Jones made progress despite the frugal bowling of the experienced Mark Roylance (6-52 off 23 overs).
McKay fell lbw for 32, Ian Charles was bowled for 0 and Phil Jones holed out in the deep for 22. Alvanley were in trouble at 78-6 after 29 overs.
A brisk onslaught off the final six overs brought 39 runs as Chris Fletcher crashed two sixes in his 24 and Steve Liddiard accelerated to 22.
James Rowlinson and Mark Lead-better cashed in with 14 runs off the last two overs to secure three batting points as the innings closed at 141-9.
Vale were all out for 89.
