IMPROVED Lymm took 13 points from a Meller Braggins Cheshire Cricket League Division One draw with Malpas, a side who had won six of their last seven games.

Lymm progressed comfortably to 40 runs without loss with Andy Wright and Ian Conway gaining good starts.

After the loss of Wright for 26, Chris Ray, 46 and Chris Bone, 28, boosted Lymm's innings and a score of more than 200 was on the cards.

Malpas and, in particular, Australian Simon Hopper had other ideas as Lymm were bowled out for a below par 169.

Lymm's team spirit remained high. Opening bowlers Karl Wright and Craig Van swung the ball superbly and posed problems for the Malpas batsmen all afternoon.

They claimed five wickets between them and leg spinner Whealen also took two wickets.

They were backed up by some superb catching and fielding and it was only thanks to some lusty hitting at the end that Malpas closed on 144 runs for eight wickets.

Lymm hope to take this good form into this week's game against league leaders Middlewich.