MIDDLEWICH CC 1sts bounced back from a disappointing performance last week to record a winning draw against basement team Brooklands.

But they had to fight from the start after losing their first three wickets for just one run.

Fortunately Martin Dawson was in fine form with the bat.

A fourth-wicket partnership of 89 with opener Andrew Cole (34) helped Middlewich to 136.

Dawson passed a personal milestone in posting his highest score for the 1sts, before he finally fell for 81.

Middlewich were not finished there though, as first Chris Broomfield (27) and then Nick Gill (51no) inflicted serious damage on the Brooklands bowling figures.

Gill, making his season debut for the 1sts, brought up his half century with three huge sixes.

His side closed their innings on 216-7 after 50 overs, hitting 59 from the final five.

In reply, Brooklands started promisingly, reaching 22 before Stuart Price forced the breakthrough.

When Price struck again soon after to remove the opposition's danger man, Brooklands decided to settle for the draw and closed on 149-7 in their 50 overs.

Price was the pick of the bowlers, taking two for 22, while Phil Parry (2-26) and Phil Davies (2-19) played their part.

The two teams shared the spoils, Middlewich taking 12 points to Brooklands' eight.

They now lie sixth in the standings after 10 matches, 20 points adrift of leaders Bredbury St Marks, and head to fellow mid-table side Grappenhall on Saturday.

l Meanwhile the 1sts went out of the Cheshire Cup at the third round stage to Widnes, going down to a seven-wicket defeat at Haddon Field on Sunday.

The home team were skittled for just 52, leaving Widnes the relatively simple task of chasing a modest total.