CHESTER Boughton Hall seconds set visitors Didsbury a challenging total of 239-6 but had to settle for a draw.
Jonty Hedgecoe reached a quick 43, while at the other end a patient Jack Yates crafted 76.
After a mini collapse, the middle order reasserted itself through Brett Balac (62no) and Carl Steadman (33no).
Didsbury were left with 53 overs to chase the target, and they reached 100 for the loss of three wickets. Wickets then began to fall more quickly, largely through the efforts of David Shewring, whose 22 overs of left-arm spin produced 5-41.
Jamie Ducker deserved more than 2-20 from 12. Balac took Chester's eighth wicket but no more were possible before the close as the match finished in a 16-16 draw.
Boughton Hall's third team met top-of-the-table Upton at home having lost several players to holidays and calls from the higher teams.
Batting first, they lost Simon Law early but Callum Rigby (19) and skipper Doug Ramsay settled into a promising partnership.
Ramsay and Andy Millington then put on a valuable 40, but things went downhill from there and Chester were all out for an insufficient 145.
Upton overtook that total in only 13 overs, with opener Dave Clark posting 103no, including seven sixes in a row!
Chester's under-strength fourths travelled to Macclesfield thirds and after skipper Paul Ducker lost the toss, they were invited to bat on an unpredictable wicket.
The visitors were all out for 91 (Bobby Evans 31, Martin Lamb 24) before Macclesfield reached their target in 22 overs to by eight wickets.
John Thistlewood picked up 2-31 and special mention must be made of two 12-year-olds - Sean Lomax who fielded superbly and bowled two overs, both maidens, and Glen Coppack, just returned from touring with Cheshire Under 13s. nOulton Park seconds take on leaders Birkenhead Park at Little Budworth this weekend.
Park are in good spirits having beaten Congleton last weekend. Congleton set 214-7 (Ric Moore 2-32) before Park reached 215-2 (Jonny Kettle 45, Moore 60, Simon Torlop 46no). nMalpas seconds were frustrated against visitors Ashley as they batted first and made 195-6. Andy Price top-scored with 54 and was supported by Richard McWilliams (36) and Mark Humphreys (32).
But Malpas were unable to bowl out their opponents, with Davenham finishing on 155-9 (Mark Punnett 6-41, Phil Rowlandson 3-63).
Christleton seconds made the long trip to Bredbury St Marks on Saturday looking to keep close with the other high flyers.
The hosts batted first and were reduced to 35-3. Dathan (3-82) and Morgan-Jones (2-66) came on at the death as Bredbury declared on 245-8.
In reply, Mike and Chris Hollindale opened the batting and put on 77 for the first wicket before Mike was out for 36. Chris Brooks joined Hollindale and supported him well. The pair put on an unbeaten 170 partnership as Hollindale smashed five sixes in a breathtaking 138no with Brooks contributing 59no as Christleton reached 247-1 after 43.4 overs.
Second-placed Christleton thirds enjoyed a 20-point victory over bottom side Alsager.
Christleton won the toss and bowled first, with Russ Anderson (2-17) and Matt Malkin (1-26) reducing Alsager to 25-3. Willy Lamb found turn and took 2-32 as the hosts were out for 100.
Christleton soon found themselves 54-4. Dave Swift (12no) batted around Lamb and watched him hit the winning boundary as he finished on 38no.
Alvanley seconds played well at Marple but it was not enough to secure victory.
Alvanley acquired maximum batting points to close on 177-8, but the winning runs were hit in the penultimate over as Marple reached 180-4.
Chester County Officers seconds chalked up an 83-run victory at Chelford.
Chester declared on 266-3 before bowling the hosts out for 183.
