WARRINGTON Cricket Club’s second XI lost by five wickets at Middlewich despite a good first innings of 264 in 49 overs.

J Mitchell, R Taylor and J Waldron shone with the bat, while L Nunn took three wickets.

A strong Warrington third XI outplayed Birkenhead Park.

Birkenhead found the pace of Charlton and Hewitt too much to handle as they shared all 10 wickets to dismiss Park for a modest 170.

In reply, early lost wickets gave Warrington a little to worry about but opener Tim Rothwell held the innings together.

After a cameo performance from Jake Shackleford, Rothwell was joined by Dave Solwan and an unbroken 92-run partnership saw Warrington home.

Warrington’s fourth XI fell to a nine-wicket defeat at Birkenhead Park.

Only Billy Gilbert, with 31, did any damage, although the tail end wagged with Tom Diakun and Peter Rydzkoewski adding 31 for the ninth wicket.

Birkenhead played their small ground with good effect, although they gave some chances. The only consolation for Warrington was two good run outs.

Warrington’s under 15s began their Cheshire County League season with a resounding 113-run defeat of Timperley.

Put into bat, they declared on 181 for 5 after 22 overs, thanks to contributions from Ryan Gratton, 41 not out, and Joel Chaderton, 39 not out.

In response their opponents were all out for 68, with wickets for Matt Regan, Thomas Diakun and Peter Rydzkowski.

A young under 13s team played well in defeat to Timperley, reaching 92 for 7 with good contributions from H Clutterbuck and M Ewing but falling short of their 140 target despite wickets for Ben McCarthy and Aaron Chaderton.