BROOKLANDS first XI returned from a tough away fixture at Romiley in the Cheshire County Cricket League Division Two with a draw from a rain-affected game.

Batting first after winning the toss Romiley raced to 90 before opener Rick Holt was removed by Luke Maitra for 42. Maitra (2-43) quickly struck again, removing Holt’s fellow opener Tom Rolph for 57.

Despite this setback, Romiley’s middle-order fired with David Badrock and Mohan D’Souza notching half centuries before they were both removed by Rob Leach (4-46).

A couple of quick wickets, including a run-out from Kevin Carroll, briefly brought the visitors back into the game but Sam Astley (30) and Rob Booker (12) helped the home side post 251-8 from their 50 overs.

The Brooklands fightback began badly with promoted opening batsman George Storrow and fellow opener Carroll both departing early with the score on five.

Ali Buchan (13) and David Madden (11) both made starts but were unable to convert with both being dismissed by Paul Garner (2-11).

Only Aidan Khares (29) and Luke Maitra (21 not out) were able to mount any sort of response for the visitors, and with Caleb Jones and Christain Potter being removed cheaply by D’Souza (3-22), Brooklands finished on 117-9 from a rain-reduced 44 overs, to earn a draw and pick up six points.

The second XI made it two wins on the bounce with a comfortable victory over Widnes.

Bowling first, opening bowler George Foreman struck in the first over, removing opening batsman Daniel Wearden without any runs being scored.

Fellow opener Tim Wearden (34) and C Hurstfield (36) were the only Widnes batsmen to make any sort of contribution to the visitors' total as they were all out for 132 in just 43 overs.

Foreman impressively ended on 2-4 with Cameron Buchan (2-15) and Chris Moore (2-28) also standing out.

The low total proved short work for the home side. Richard Palmer hit a classy 63no, and with Tom Khares blasting 56 off just 46 balls, they saw the hosts home inside 24 overs.

The thirds hosted Cheadle Hulme and captain Batty won the toss, choosing to bat first.

Ross Willard once again opened the batting with youngster Pritvhi Mody, but when Willard departed early and Mody followed not long after, Brooklands found themselves at 48-2

Drew Hinde joined wicketkeeper Daniel O’Gorman at the crease and the pair steadied the innings with a solid 40-run partnership before Hinde was caught in the deep for 26.

O’Gorman was unable to convert his hard work into what would have been a well-deserved half century as he was caught on an agonising 48.

After debutant Alex Erlam was stumped after hitting two impressive boundaries, Jaydutt Kamath joined vice-captain Paul Vesey at the crease.

Vesey once again proved reliable on the run-scoring front with a solid 33 before he was also caught.

The good scoring partnership between Vesey and Kamath put Brooklands into a good position and allowed Kamath to free up his arms and play some flowing and expansive shots on his way to 43no.

As tea arrived the home side had set Cheadle Hulme a competitive target of 211 for victory.

Batty and the returning Elliot David began the bowling for Brooklands but a solid opening partnership from Z Ahmed (33) and Soban Fayyaz (28) proved troublesome.

David struck first, removing Ahmed and then his replacement Azif Malik in a 14-over spell that saw him finish with figures of 3-52.

Paul Vesey replaced Batty at the Tennis Court End and picked up 2-25 off seven overs, which included a majestic caught and bowled.

Cheadle Hulme wickets continued to fall quickly as Ritvik Rao joined the attack.

The debutant collected an impressive three wickets in a turbulent four overs that saw him go for 35 runs.

Shiraj Mody also bowled well, picking up a wicket and not conceding any runs in his three-over cameo.

The guests saw themselves fall to 159-9 with seven overs remaining.

Sensing victory, the Brooklands fielders crowded the crease and in the final over, Batty came steaming in and sent the off stump cartwheeling to seal a well-deserved win.