LYMM won the toss and put Mere in to bat, Danny Eckstein made his usual contribution at the crease along with Jim Roper.

The first wicket fell at 42, Roper run out for 19.

After 23 overs the score was 70 with Chris Garner putting on a stunning batting display.

Eckstein was bowled in the next over having made 34.

Nick Garner joined his brother at the crease and a flurry of runs ensued, they put on 96 before Nick was run out by the sharp fielding of Lymm's wicket keeper Sodhi, score now 170 for 3 off 42 overs, Mere finished on 180 for 7.

Chris Garner making 76.

Lymm were determined to win this game and after 29 overs were 80 for 1.

Mere were three bowlers down this week and seam king, Cox, had the unenviable task of bowling 23 overs.

His partner at the pavilion end, Pinnington, took the first three wickets, Lymm now 108 for 3 with 11 overs to go and for the next five overs looked as if they would surpass the Mere total.

The game was very tense, but extremely enjoyable and played with the right spirit.

Cox eventually made a breakthrough in his 22nd over, bowling Oakes and Karl Wright in quick succession, this gave Mere a boost and the game finished in a nail-biting finale, Lymm 173 for 7.

Mere gained a wining draw to keep them at the top of the table with Middlewich.

Mere play on Thursday at home against Middlewich in the second round of the cup, with a 6.30pm start.