Skipper Steve Ogilby's side was minus Cheshire opener Warren Goodwin, who was out with a broken finger, saw Urmston pile on 304 runs.

Ogilby mixed his bowlers with little success until the breakthrough finally came in the 25th over with the score on 107, when Daron Cruickshank had Chris Watson caught at cover for 42. However, that only led to the introduction of Ashley Punja who's magnificent unbeaten 131 included five sixes and 13 fours.

The Chester bowlers were put to the sword as a second wicket partnership of 71 and a third of 58 saw Urmston file a commanding 304-5 declared from their 55 overs.

Alex Kegg was the most successful of Chester's bowlers with four wickets but even his 23 overs went for 110 runs. The rest of the home bowling was similarly savaged.

Whilst 304 was a huge total and higher than Chester have chased for some time, the quality of the track offered a reasonable chance and it was important that the hosts got off to a solid start.

However, things didn't go too well as Eddie Roberts went for a first ball duck and it was then essential that Jim Gillson weighed anchor at number three if Chester were going to put up any sort of fight.

Gradually he and Daron Cruickshank (44) began to show how good the pitch really was with a second wicket partnership of 50.

Jim Gillson moved on to 67 supported briefly by Ogilby (14) but when he was fifth man out, caught at cover with the score on 161, Chester seemed a long way off. Matt Griffiths (22) and Ollie Law (23) then combined well together again but Chester were slipping behind the required rate and when both had gone, the tail had to bat through the last nine overs.

Nick Massey hung around for half an hour, Dave Atkin on his return from injury went cheaply and it was left to some intelligent batting from Andy Leech (13 no) and Kegg (1 from 17 balls), to see the home side through to their first draw of the season and ensure they could move on to their Summer Ball in good spirits.

CHRISTLETON clinched a draw from their match in Division One at Poynton.

Poynton set a target of 171 for 5 declared despite Iroshan de Silva taking 3 for 38.

In reply, de Silva top-scored with 52 as the match was reduced to 88 overs due to rain.

Jason Ashcroft and Chris Brooks supported de Silva as Christleton pocketed six points compared with Poynton's 13 points.