AN in-form Warrington side were forced to dig deep to secure a draw at Cheshire County Cricket League Division Two leaders Timperley on Saturday.

On a good batting wicket the hosts’ top order dominated proceedings, giving Warrington’s attack very little, as they clocked up 274 for 7.

The persistence of Sy Hewitt, 2 for 44, Paul Farrar, 2 for 48, and Kyle Adams, 2 for 84, was rewarded, but the table-toppers’ total left them in a strong position.

Individual batsmen struggled to make an impact, but the visitors scored consistently throughout to reach 207 for 8.

Chris Kirby, 40, and James Hughes, 38, top scored for Warrington and were complemented by Mike Rudd, 29, James Rudd, 28, Simon Baxter, 26, and Paul Farrar, 22 to hold out for the draw.

Fourth-placed Warrington look to rekindle their promotion hopes at home to relegation-threatened Alvanley on Saturday.

Warrington’s seconds could not build on a home victory over Oxton last week as they slumped to a nine-wicket defeat against Timperley.

With Warrington teetering on 67 for 8, Ian Sleigh, 33, and teenager Isaac Webster, 26, put on a 50-run partnership to drag the hosts’ score to 117 all out.

Brendan Morris, 1 for 12, was the only bowler to get his name on the scoresheet as Timperley strolled home with nine wickets and 12 overs to spare.

The seconds will hope to bounce back to winning ways at bottom-placed Oulton Park this weekend.

Cheadle Hulme were dominated by a versatile Warrington’s thirds attack, as Billy Gilbert, 2 for 20, Mans Naseem, 2 for 20, and Rishav Manta, 2 for 35, held the hosts to 171 for 8.

Warrington welcomed back Tex Balmer after a five-year absence and witnessed an immediate impact with an unbeaten 64.

A solid start from openers Luke Farrell, 42, and Tom Corroboy, 32, set the visitors on the way to their target before Balmer’s introduction.

Warrington went on to make the required 172 with seven wickets to spare.