DAVENHAM turned in their best performance so far this season to bring back the confident smiles at Butcher's Stile.

They got the better of early pacesetters Hale Barns in a winning draw.

Dave Holden was the home star, scoring 110, and with Rob Harrison (50) shared a fine opening partnership of 165, which lasted until the 35th over when Harrison was given lbw.

Next top scorer was Alan Wright with 18 as Davenham declared on 202-6.

Andy Floyd caught one Hale dangerman, Dave Molloy, and then bowled the other, Peter Thorpe. Adam Day then took 4-33 as the discouraged visitors batted out to 134-6.

Second-team captain Chris Latham and Tony Simmons took 4-33 and 4-21 respectively as Ashton-on-Mersey 2nds were bowled for 81.

Davenham went about the target slowly and lost careless wickets. Fortunately, Dave Massey (36) was on form and steered them to 82-7.

OAKMERE scored one of their biggest totals in years on a beautiful Runcorn track.

Skipper Paul Yearsley (107) led the way, Ian Eaton hit 51 and Chris Leech 49 of the 240-6 total.

But Oakmere's bowlers found the pitch equally unresponsive, though there were two wickets apiece for Craig Phelan (2-34) and Andy Norton (2-30) as Runcorn eased their way to 178-6.

Mike Cushion changed the 2nds' game dramatically. Parkonians were 71-1 when he was introduced and 131ao after his best return of 7-17. Oakmere hit 132-3, Chris Nelson carrying his bat for 55, Phil Guest hitting 38.

WEAVERHAM'S bright start to the season continued to lose its shine.

They lost by 60 runs at Marple, where Gordon Allen (2-42) and Steve Robertson (2-27) eventually pegged back the home side. But the damage had been done and Marple set a formidable target of 214-8 (Alan Bell 2-28).

Weaverham also got off to a good start with Emlyn Roberts (24) and Steve Robertson (26) putting on 52 in 18 overs for the first wicket.

However, the only other main contributors with the bat were the Lightfoot brothers who both batted well with Jon hitting 22 and Paul 39. Top bat Rob McMillan, however, had a rare off day and Weaverham tailed off at 154.

Rob Hardley posted a personal best 6-70 off 20 overs and 14-year-old Paul Barber took 2-25 in a good fielding performance.

Marple scored 190-9 and Weaverham's innings was in trouble at 59-6, with only Phil Harris (20) making headway.

But a seventh-wicket stand between Neil Turley (21) and Derek Westerside, who hit a cracking 56, led to the recovery. Hardley's 33 meant a creditable draw at 155-9.

WINSFORD'S groundsmen produced a belter of a track and the team turned in an impressive performance to join the early group pushing for promotion from Division Two.

Cholmondeley were put into bat and at 100-1 Winsford were ruing the decision.

On came the spinners and the Cholmondeley innings began to stutter under the attack of John Phillips, who took 5-17 off 18 overs. The visitors declared at 206-8.

But after deciding the target was not impossible, Winsford staggered to 38-4 in 10 overs. Mike Clarke and Mark Nicholas stayed at the crease for 12 overs, taking few chances.

Still, Winsford were 90-5 when Colin Dean came to the crease and he launched nine boundaries, including a massive six, in his 53 while Clarke continued to push the ball assuredly around.

The stand of 76 demoralised the Cholmondeley bowlers, with Wins-ford on 166 with nine overs to go.

Chris Brandon joined 16-year-old Clarke to exploit gaps in the field. Clarke showed maturity for his 79no, until his demise brought Gareth Whitney out to hit a couple of singles. His boundary over the top of cover sealed the win for Winsford at 207-7.

An experienced Over Peover side proved too strong for a determined Winsford 2nds, who were beaten by 41 runs.

Over Peover scored 142-8 with Martin Barrett (3-26) and Phil Jones (4-21) taking the wickets to give their team a good chance.

But veteran Graham Smout (21), Philip Doman (19) and Paul Brown (18) needed more support and Winsford were all out for 101.

BARNTON got their season back on track after demolishing Holmes Chapel.

Veteran seamer Nick Yarwood picked up 7-36 as Holmes Chapel disintegrated. Neil Langham - 3-5 and five maidens - had made the earlier breakthroughs.

Set 98, Barnton were never stretched. Mike Cross struck 38no and Paul Coot a classy 28no, with Barnton advancing up the table with a score of 100-3.