GRANGE Cricket Club's season started with a lottery exit from a cup competition they won last year.

The Sunday team crashed out of the Beardsley Cup at the preliminary round stage after a penalty shoot-out style bowl-out to decide the outcome of a rain-affected tie against Arriva.

Each side nominated five players to try to hit the stumps, and Ian McCue levelled for Grange with their third delivery.

But Arriva struck gold with their penultimate ball and unfortunately skipper Adam Brogan was unable to keep his side in the contest as his final ball missed the timbers.

Grange's first and second teams start their Cheshire Building Society Cricket Alliance campaigns this weekend.

The first eleven, promoted as champions into Division Two, travel to face Langley.

Captain Mike Antwoon is likely to introduce a couple of the club's new signings. Matt Downs and Dave White are set to make their debuts for the club against a side that have been relegated from the top division of the Alliance.

At Grange Avenue, Carl Evans' second eleven start their Division B West fixtures with a game against last year's basement club Capenhurst.

The Sunday team also commence their league fixtures with a tough home game against Hindley St Peters.

All games start at 2pm.