CRCIKET ROUND-UP

Everything seemed to be going to plan as Oulton, and in particular Paul Berry, picked up where they left off last season, as the league's top batsman hit a breathtaking 83.

At 123-2 John Davies was run out and a rash shot from Berry slowed the momentum, although they did eventually get maximum batting points thanks to some big hitting by Chris Jones as he made 27.

Jones then joined Stuart Eaton in the attack and Macclesfield lost three wickets with the score on 59 before two run outs left them floundering on 98-5.

However, a bizarre incident changed the course of the game as Aussie Steve Taylor appeared to be caught by Eaton and was given out. However umpire Rice consulted with his colleague Genge and decided that Eaton, who had juggled with the ball and ended up taking it lying on the ground, hadn't completed the catch.

Reprieved Taylor went on to score 86 and despite Davies' three-wicket burst leaving Macc on 190-9, a top edge over the wicketkeeper's head brought them the win, leaving Oulton with the healthy consolation of 15 points.

This Saturday Oulton Park are away to Cheadle Hulme in the league.

l Cholmondeley 2nds 206-9 (Kyle MacPherson 3-46, Simon Torlop 3-11); Oulton Park 2nds 168-9 (Ian Mu

WINNINGTON Park started their latest Division Two promotion campaign with a disappointing draw at home to newcomers Christleton.

Last season's Cheshire League champions were determined not to give anything away as Paul Sinclair was run out for a duck on his debut before Park found their feet.

They then made steady progress through Chris Leech and James Lewis, who was also run out, but his 50, along with Leech's 47, gave the home side control until spin bowler Stuart Newell and seamer Jerome Ducker put them firmly on the back foot at 94-3 with only 10 overs left.

To compile bonus points Park were forced to bat 55 overs but Mike Johns (37) took on the challenge with James Bunby and managed to take Park to 175-7.

Christleton started positively in reply, hitting 10 off the first four balls before Barr got carried away and presented James Cowell with his first wicket of the season.

Cowell and Paul Allen restricted the visitors to 33-1 in the first 12 overs before ex-Winnington batsman Mike Hollindale piled on the runs , and at 128-4 after 32 overs Christleton looked firm favourites.

It was an inspired performance from opening bowlers Cowell (5-47) and Allen (1-32) that saved the game for Park as the visitors gave up the chase at 158-8 with two overs remaining, Christleton edging the points with nine to Winnington's eight as they finished the game on 158-8.

Park captain Stuart Hayes is now hoping his side can shake off their early season rustiness as they look for their first win away to the other promoted side Bredbury St Marks this Saturday.

He said: "We know that we are stronger and will play better once we have knocked the winter cobwebs off. Unfortunately many of the players have not been able to practice as much this winter and that showed."

l IN their opening game at Cheadle Hulme, Winnington Park 2nd XI pulled off an outstanding win.

A weakened side contained five juniors, including 15-year-old Tom Pilling, who picked up three wickets for nine runs as Cheadle were bowled out for a modest 128. Veteran spin bowler Keith Jones chipped in with three wickets and captain Howard Burtwistle took two wickets and four catches.

Tom then opened the batting and, after the early departure of Greg McKeown, he dug in to enabe Simon Newell to bat fluently for a brisk 43.

Then Jason Hayes, brother of first team skipper Stuart, made 25 not out and 13-year-old Jim Pilling 18 not out to lead their side to victory.

DAVENHAM faced a side coming down from the County League for their first Cheshire League Division One game since promotion, and learnt a harsh lesson.

But Paul Wright took the step up in his stride with 5-74 and David Holden took 2-8 as Hale Barns made 184-8.

However, Davenham could only muster 109 in reply with Alan Wright and Phil Sharples both making 16 while Dave Molloy secured victory for the home side with 6-39.

l DAVENHAM 2nds scored just one more run than the first team but managed to win at home to Hale Barns.

It was down to 14-year-old Ben Jones, who made 30 not out, and 16-year-old Chris Latham, who helped the scoreboard along from a perilous 33-7 to 100 all out.

Hale Barns could only manage 50 in reply, John Cwiklinski with 5-14, Steve Warburton 3-18 and Latham taking 1-2 off just six overs.

SKIPPER Alan Bell was happy with new boys Weaverham's first Meller Braggins One game as they won by eight wickets at Runcorn.

Bell took 4-35 and Jamie Allen 2-24 with good support from John Lightfoot as the home side crashed to 113 all out.

Paul Lightfoot made 20 and Mike Cross 43 to get Weaverham's reply off to an excellent start before Rob McMillan's 47 sealed the victory.

l WEAVERHAM 2nds also beat Runcorn, as Henryk Kazmierczak enjoyed the perfect start to his captaincy.

Alan Holcroft hit 30 and Phil Harris 18 in Weaverham's 144, but Runcorn seemed to be coasting towards it at 70 without loss.

But Holcroft took 5-44 and Kazmierczak 5-14, remarkably clean bowling all his victims to reduce Runcorn to 103 all out.

l THIS Saturday the top two from last year's Meller Braggins League Division Two lock horns in an early season derby as Weaverham meet Davenham at Wallerscote Road (2pm).

OAKMERE suffered at the hands of league captain Gary Wood on Saturday, who smashed 74 at Overdale Lane in Bollington's total of 197-7.

Newcomer Martin Frost took 3-65 but Oakmere paid dearly for six dropped catches and couldn't get within the visitors' total.

They made a dismal start and collapsed to 31-4 but Frost took over with the bat, taking the score to 114 in a partnership of 83 with Guy Groves (36).

Nick Talbot-Butler (17) and Paul Hutchinson (13) kept up the fight but Oakmere had to settle for a draw from their first Cheshire League Division One game, at 160-8.

l OAKMERE 2nds' title defence got off to a solid start as Eddie Gibson kicked off his 44th season with figures of 6-30.

He was the main reason Oakmere were finished by 5.30pm, as Bollington 2nds were bowled out for 66, a target reached for the loss of two wickets.

Ian Morgan hit a steady 25 before youngsters Craig Phelan (18 not out) and Jon Haslam (17 not out) saw Oakmere home.

l THIS Saturday Oakmere take o

A CENTURY by Ant Shaw was the highlight of Northwich's excellent start to the season at Moss Farm on Saturday.

He struck an unbeaten 117, including nine sixes and 12 fours, as Northwich thrashed Wirral Mersey Park by 183 runs.

John Hughes backed up with 53, Scott McCormack 33 not out and Rob Westworth 29 as the home side rattled up 240 runs for the loss of just three wickets.

Wirral were then bowled out for just 57 as Tim Fairburn took 5-16 to make it a successful start to Northwich's Alliance Division One campaign.

This Saturday they are at home again against Radbroke Hall.

HARTFORD'S Cheshire Alliance season got underway with a frustrating home draw against Liscard Central on Saturday.

New captain Rob Whittle soon got into the runs, scoring quickly with support from Gaz Stokes and Martin Pickup, with second and third wicket stands of 70 and 50 respectively.

Whittle completed the first century of the season in just 98 balls before he fell for 112 and he declared the innings after 44 overs on 207-9.

Stuart Hackley struck early in a great spell of 4-13 from 16 overs and Rick Buckley also bowled well, taking 2-29. But Liscard shut up shop and would not open up before finishing way back on 101-7, Hartford picking up 14 points in an encouraging start.