OXTON and Neston had to be content with drawn matches in the Premier Division of the Chapel Press Cheshire County League.

Mark Rowlands, 76, and Lee Dixon, 57, batted well in a 230 Oxton total against Hyde who closed 30 runs behind with two wickets intact. Graham Cashin claimed 4-18.

Neston were on 182-8 at stumps away to Grappenhall who had declared on 242-8. David Hirst, 58, and Luke Camden 4-80 were best for Neston.

Irby lost by eight wickets at Bramhall in Division One after being dismissed for 132. Steve Hurworth scored 75 of the runs.

Upton in Division Two were denied victory by the last Malpas pair. Armand Strydom top scored with a half century and Ian Linwood enjoyed a 4-36 return.

New Brighton find themselves at the bottom of the Bridging Finance Liverpool and District Competition Premier Division after a nine wickets defeat at the hands of Leigh. The Brighton all out score of 87 proved totally inadequate.

It is better for Wallasey in Division One. They sit third after accounting for Orrell Red Triangle by one wicket in a thriller. Matthew Bourne took 5-64 and Shoiab Latif scored 45.

Parkfield Liscard won but there were defeats for Birkenhead St Mary’s and Caldy in Division Two.

The Wallasey side cruised home by nine wickets against lowly Moorfield. Arshad Khan recorded a 6-64 haul whilst the batsmen to shine were Rashid Riaz 65 not out and Grant Hughes 62.

Caldy fell by 58 runs against Fleetwood Hesketh. Sunny Ghandi made 44.

Birkenhead St Mary’s were 119 runs inferior to Skelmersdale despite an unbeaten 62 from Mike Bowe Port Sunlight enjoyed a ten wickets triumph against Huyton in their latest match in Division One of the Bromborough Paints Merseyside Competition. Brendan Woods 71 and Wayne Greve 36 enjoyed an unbeaten 119 partnership after the home side was restricted to 118.

Maritime who play at Bromborough won a high scoring clash against the Merseyside Commonwealth by two wickets. Alagiah Suthakaran contributed 92.

Tranmere Vics drew at Crosby St Mary’s in Division two. Ed Briers made 40 not out and also took 3-34 Birkenhead Park went under by four runs at home to Oakmere in Division One of the Meller Braggins Cheshire League. They were all out for 197 after the visitors declared on 201-5.

Parkonians lost by 30 runs at Haslington in Division One of the Cheshire Alliance. Mike Hitchell 87 and Adam Westwater 3-71 did their best for the local side.

It was better for Eastham and Bromborough in Division Three. Mark Griffiths, 118 not out, Ian Corner jnr, 55, and Russ Williams 4-6 helped them see off Knutsford by100 runs.

Scoreboad: Liverpool Competition Premier Div: New Brighton 87, Leigh 89-1. Div.One:- Orrell Red Triange 177, Wallasey 178-9. Div Two: Birkenhead St Mary’s 135, Skelmersdale 254-5dec; Caldy 134, Fleetwood Hesketh 192-6dec; Parkfield Liscard 140-1, Moorfield 137.

Cheshire County League Prem Div: Grappenhall 242-8dec, Neston 182-8; Oxton 230, Hyde 200-8. Div One: Bramhall 135-2, Irby 132. Div Two: Malpas 148-9, Irby 197-9dec.

Merseyside Competition Div One: Huyton 118, Port Sunlight 119-0; Maritime 204-8, Merseyside CC 203-7dec. Div Two: Crosby St Mary’s 176-7dec, Tranmere Vics 141-6.

Cheshire League Div One: Birkenhead Park 197, Oakmere 201-5dec.

Cheshire Alliance Div One: Haslington 214-4, Parkonians 186. Div.Three:- Eastham and Bromborough 226-4dec, Knutsford 126.