THE new season started in defeat for Grappenhall Cricket Club as they lost by seven wickets at Poynton in the Cheshire County Cricket League First Division.

Openers Richard Green and Iain Wright played with caution on a slow wicket.

Green’s patient 33, a positive innings of 35 from wicket keeper Liam Parkinson and good contributions from Andy Tetlow and Harry Worley - a central defender with Leicester City - meant that Grappenhall posted a competitive total of 169.

In reply, Grappers got an early breakthrough with the wicket of Poynton’s captain Paul Gould but a partnership of 111 took the game away from Grappenhall.

Their second team, led for the first time by Mark Bell, drew at home to Sale.

The visitors reached 207 for 9 in their 50 overs, Sam Guest being the pick of the bowlers with four wickets.

Adam Roylance was run out in Grappenhall’s first over and after that the reply was steady, with Matt Bennison contributing a vital 50.

The thirds clinched victory with three overs to spare against top division Bramhall in the Cup group stages.

Some tight bowling from Ashley Higham and Matt Titchard restricted the visitors to 171 all out inside 44 overs. Higham finished with 4 for 18 from eight overs.

In reply, Grappers lost two wickets before the score reached 30 but a good partnership between Neil Muttock and Alan Brady, both scoring 50s, took the home team to the brink of their victory.