OAKMERE seconds had to settle for a draw despite dominating their encounter with Lymm in Division A at Overdale Lane.

After setting their guests a target of 215 to win, they picked up wickets regularly with Mike Cushion (2-7), Pete Hutchinson (2-16) and Ciaran McDonnell (2-18) claiming a brace apiece.

However the visitors held on, closing on a lowly 84-8.

Earlier, Oakmere had reached 214-8 off 45 overs with Pete Lee (87) and McDonnell (38) putting on 76 for the first wicket.

David Norton (25no) and Peter Jones (22) then added 56 for the seventh.

Barnton seconds’ batsmen made sure they picked up a share of the spoils at Mobberley.

Chasing 207 for victory, they closed on 144-6 after Nick Remon (27), captain Matt Morley and Ben Tranter (both 28) all made starts.

Angus Dean (2-28) had been most successful of their bowling attack after the men from Broomsedge won the toss

Lee Hargreaves (87) hit half-a-dozen sixes for the home team, sharing in an 84-run stand for the fourth wicket with Blair Campbell (32).

Winnington Park’s seconds fell 11 runs short of their target in a Division B West clash with Port Sunlight.

Paul Morris (58) was their leading scorer, sharing in a 72-run partnership for the second wicket, as they closed on 193-6.

Late boundaries from Ben Birchenall and Pete Giles increased the hosts’ tally at the Rec, where Gareth Brooks (3-32) was the pick of Sunlight’s bowlers.

Openers Michael Parsons (64) and Steve Willett (60) put on 122 runs at the top of the order for the visitors as they posted 203-5.

Skipper Stu Moniz (1-9), Dan Barnes (1-38), Sam Speak (1-38) and Rishad Ali (1-58) shared the wickets to fall, although Park were left to rue a series of dropped catches.

Captain Julian Holmes praised the efforts of his bowlers after Kingsley seconds suffered a seven-wicket defeat at Warrington thirds in the same section.

Defending a small target after the visitors had been dismissed for 82, he threw the ball to eight different pairs of hands.

“There was a good attitude from the group and a solid bowling display,” he said.

“The wicket was a challenge for our batsmen, but as the campaign progresses I’m confident we’ll improve – we mustn’t become downhearted when the situation conspires against us.”

In a contest delayed by a rugby fixture taking place on the outfield, Kingsley subsided to 14-4 and 26-7 after Raj Soni (6-19) ripped through the top order.

Holmes (34) led a recovery, supported by veterans Andrew Bratt and Paul Betteridge.

The visitors then lost opening bowler Joey Kitchen to injury after two overs, although Andrew Ainsworth (2-18) claimed early wickets.

However William Gilbert (42no) and David Lee (22no) shared in an unbeaten partnership worth 69 runs to secure victory for their side.

Paul Hough’s five-wicket haul wasn’t enough help Winsford seconds secure a victory against their Westminster Park counterparts at Knights Grange.

Chasing 139 to win, the visitors reached their target in the 33rd over.

Earlier, captain Callum Simpson (33) and opening partner Marcus Whyatt (30) made the biggest individual contributions to the hosts’ 138 all out.

Results

UKFast Cheshire League

Saturday, April 23

Division A: Hale Barns 2nd Abn Heaton Mersey 2nd Abn; Mobberley 2nd 206-6 dec Barnton 2nd 144-6; Oakmere 2nd 214-8 dec Lymm 2nd 85-8; Romiley 2nd 138-4 Wilmslow Wayfarers 2nd 137-6; Stockport Georgians 2nd 129-6 Runcorn 2nd 128; Woodford 2nd 178-8 dec Irby 2nd 162-7

Division B West: Appleton 2nd 112-6 Oxton 3rd 108; Aston 2nd w/o Malpas 2nd; Bunbury 2nd 88 Neston 3rd 183-5 dec; Chester Boughton Hall 3rd 258-7 dec Wirral 222-6; Chester County Officers 2nd 149 Stretton 2nd 228; Cholmondeley 2nd 66-0 Warrington 4th 64; Neston 4th 286-6 dec Chester Boughton Hall 4th 54; Oxton 4th 196-2 Upton 4th 192-7; Upton 3rd 168-6 Barrow 2nd  165; Warrington 3rd 83-3 Kingsley 2nd 82; Winnington Park 2nd 193-6 Port Sunlight 2nd 203-5 dec; Winsford 2nd 138 Westminster Park 2nd 139-7 dec

Fixtures for Saturday (1.30pm)

Division A, inc: Barnton 2nd v Romiley 2nd; Heaton Mersey 2nd v Oakmere 2nd

Division B West, inc: Kingsley 2nd v Chester Boughton Hall 3rd; Oxton 3rd v Winsford 2nd; Upton 4th v Winnington Park 2nd