THE new season started in fine fashion for Glazebury Cricket Club, defeating Heaton Mersey Village by three wickets in Cheshire Alliance Division Two.

Heaton Mersey were dismissed in 43.4 overs, Dave Acton taking the main plaudits with a fine 5 for 25 off his 17 overs.

Jon Gibbons, 37, Dave Mason, 19, and Devesh Shete, 26, then set up a platform for victory but a worrying middle-order wobble saw the innings capsize from 67 for 2 to 79 for 6.

Jack Warhurst was on hand to take the innings by the scruff of the neck, the Glazebury keeper hitting an unbeaten 30 to steer his team to their target with 5.2 overs and three wickets to spare.

A tough trip to Ellesmere Port-based side The Groves ended in defeat for Glazebury’s second XI.

The home side, formerly known as Castrol, were only relegated from the Mellor Braggins League last season and clinched victory with five wickets to spare.

A fine stand of 102 between Rhys Marsh and Phil McCue helped Glazebury to 177 for 8 after 45 overs.

The declaration was a brave one and looked like it might pay off when a double strike from Wayne Hargreaves reduced the hosts to 117 for 5 but a largely inexperienced attack was unable to make further inroads.

In Sunday’s action the first XI put up a good performance in their home clash with Division One side The Groves in the Cheshire Alliance Cup but were ultimately edged out.

Missing regulars, the third XI were well beaten at Hindley St Peters in their second West Lancashire League game of the season, having won at Euxton in their opening game.