Chester rattled up 185 with Bob Evans striking 36, George Robinson 30, Max Temple 32, Jay Alfridi 37, and Andy Pembroke 27.

Dan Riley took the bowling honours with 5-14 from 10 overs, and he was ably backed up by Jack Williams, 3-12, and Dave Atkin, 2-22, as they skittled Oxton for 57 to win by 128 runs.

A mixed performance saw Jamie Ducker skipper Boughton Hall thirds to a one wicket win at Macclesfield.

Chester's excellent fielding and tight bowling restricted Macclesfield to 183. For Chester, Delat Gulzar took 4-42, John Thistlewood 2-43, Dave Fisher 1-3 and Ducker 2-26.

In reply, Mike Henderson (34) and Glen Coppack (35) sent the visitors on their way. A late partnership from Fisher (34) and Andy Forrest (53) saw Chester need 19 with six wickets remaining.

But things then went wrong and they suddenly found themselves needing 10 with the last pair at the crease, although they just got there in the end with two overs left.

Boughton Hall fourths drew their home match against Oxton who amassed 263-4.

Boughton Hall skipper Paul Ducker's attack bowled well with little luck. Martin Huber, Joe Killoran and Mike Sawry all picking up wickets.

Ed Mitchell and Mike Perkins earned Chester a useful opening stand before Perkins went for 17, and Matt Robinson followed soon after.

Sharie Wentzel, hampered by a leg injury, made 32 as did Martin Lamb.

Chester began to slip below the asking rate, but a late flourish from Cliff Mallows (25) and Mike Sawry (19) looked promising as Chester had to be content with the draw as they finished on 54 runs short on 209-8.

BOUGHTON HALL seconds progressed into the quarter finals of the AE Taylor Trophy with a three wicket home win over Heaton Mersey. Andy Pembroke picked up the first wicket with Mersey's score on 39, but a solid stand of 55 then ensued before a flurry of wickets saw the visitors arrive at 110-5.

Robinson shuffled his bowlers and was rewarded as the wickets were shared around. Son, Matt Robinson took 1-39 and Pembroke 1-32 while the skipper himself ended with 2-26 and Dan Riley starred with 3-25 as Mersey ended on 157-8.

The Chester reply stuttered at 7-2 but a solid 40 from James Hughes together with Andy Robinson (30) and Marcus Lyon (24) put them in the driving seat. Chester finally got home at 159-7 with an over and a half left.

CHRISTLETON seconds grabbed a winning draw against Birkenhead Park.

Christleton were 43-3 before James Clulow and Gareth Jacobs both made half centuries in the next 20 overs.

Chris Baker and Ian Mitchell then secured maximum batting points before declaring on 224 from 50 overs.

Steve Eaton took 2-49 off 17 overs to leave Park requiring 11 from the final over, and then six from the final ball. Brian Wareing managed to beat the bat and stand-in wicket keeper Chris Brooks completed the stumping to give the bowler his fourth victim of the day and secure an
extra point to finish the day with 16 points to Park's 10.