BROOKLANDS' first XI fell agonisingly short of victory at Cheshire County Cricket League Division Two leaders Barrow in a tense clash.

Barrow batted first and Reid and Iroshan De Silva piled on the runs, reaching 165 before the first wicket fell with slow left-armer Kevin Carroll having Alex Reid caught for 69.

Opening bowler AJ Hart dismissed De Silva for 101 to bring Brooklands back into the game.

Then Carroll removed Barrow batsman at will, skittling the top order via some good catching behind the stumps.

Carroll, who finished on 5-37, was ably backed up by Caleb Jones (0-50) who continued to look dangerous throughout his spell.

Barrow saw out the rest of their overs, losing six wickets and setting the visitors 229 for victory.

Bowling hero Carroll opened with Christian Hart and the pair put on 71 before Carroll was bowled by De Silva (2-30) for 36.

With Brooklands at 131-3, Dave Madden joined Christian Hart but was unable to convert his good start to a high score. Christian Hart fell first for an excellent 86 with Madden (26) becoming the second of Phil Johnson's four-wicket haul.

Going into the final over, Brooklands found themselves within sight of the target but the tail were unable to stay in and they fell just three runs short of victory.

The seconds hosted Oulton Park and Ben Kettle (38) and Tom Hyslop (62) made early progress for the visitors before they were removed by veteran Chris Moore who finished with figures of 3-45.

Opening bowler Rob Leach returned for a spell towards the end of the innings and dismissed the dangerous Johnson, along with Garnett and Cook, to register figures of 3-72.

Chasing 239, George Storrow and James Robinson opened for the home side and with Storrow departing early, Robinson (32) formed a strong partnership with Doug Whyley (44) before both were dismissed by Simon Torlop (4-49).

Hugall, Leach and Lee also fell, leaving young opening seam bowler George Foreman to make his maiden senior half-century before being caught for 54.

The target set for the second XI was out of reach as they were bowled out for 191.

The thirds made the trip to Stockport Trinity who found themselves 48-3 after opening Brooklands bowlers Paul Vesey (1-23) and captain Batty (2-58) struck early.

The Trinity middle-order proved strong and a 90-run partnership between Twidell (53) and Dodangoda (52 not out) helped steady the hosts' ship.

Dodangoda lost partners regularly with youngster Hannan Tariq (2-17) and Jaydutt Kamath (2-30) dismissing the remaining tail as Brooklands were set 184 to win.

Ross Willard and Pritvhi Mody again opened the batting for the visitors but Trinity’s opening bowler removed Mody, O’Gormon and Mike Nowell quickly before bowling Willard for 23.

The only player to offer any sort of resistance was Vesey (31no) and the visitors were all out for 100, with Friel finishing on 6-23.