BARNTON were denied victory by their guests Ashley on Saturday, but they continue to lead the way in Division Two.

Paul Coot (124no) justified skipper Simon Hancock’s decision to bat first after winning the toss, anchoring an innings that ended at 241-3 declared.

Supporting roles were played by Adam Garrod, in a second-wicket stand worth 122 runs, and Mike Cross (20no) as the men from Broomsedge posted their highest total of the season so far.

Neil Langham (2-55) struck early in Ashley’s reply as they stumbled to 39-3, only for a fourth-wicket partnership of 96 runs to steady the innings.

Kedar Dhopate (2-42) and Hancock (2-8) struck later, but the visitors held on at 216-8.

Oakmere eked out a draw at home to Malpas in Division One, replying with 168-9 after they were set a target of 200 to win.

The Northwich outfit were favourites to do exactly that after reaching 101-1, Alex Hodges (70) and Rick Lyons (25) sharing in a second-wicket partnership worth 61 runs.

Their dismissal prompted a collapse, leaving father and son Andy and Matt Norton to survive the final over.

Earlier, Malpas posted 199-4 before declaring with a 96-run stand for the fourth wicket between Connor Tinsley (61no) and Lee Dwyer (34) a highlight.

Pete Hutchinson took 3-50 for Oakmere.

Barry Crellin’s brilliance behind the stumps was a highlight for Winsford in an 89-run defeat at Wirral in Division Three.

He held on to five catches, stumped two batsmen and ran out another as the home team totalled 218 all out.

Teenage son Ben Crellin (3-30) was the pick of the visitors’ bowling attack.

Crellin junior (52) scored a half-century for the second successive Saturday as the men from Knights Grange were dismissed for 129.