WARRINGTON’S first win of the Cheshire County Cricket League First Division season could not have been sweeter as they beat local rivals Grappenhall by 71 runs.

After Liam Heaphey lost the toss and his team was sent in to bat, Warrington began poorly, losing three early wickets.

But a 97-run partnership between C Kirby, 49, and C Taylor, 45, sparked the recovery and useful contributions from the middle and lower order allowed the home team to post a competitive 184 for 7.

Following their own poor start, Grappenhall were never in a realistic position to challenge for victory. W Sharpe top scored with 24 runs, while the visitors lost regular wickets at crucial stages.

Warrington seamers S Heydon, 4 for 25, and S Carlile, 3 for 24, did the damage, producing disciplined spells of outstanding bowling, while L Nunn toiled hard in the heat to maintain his side’s dominant position.

Warrington secured 24 points and Grappenhall five.

The second XI made it a double, as they also secured victory against their Grappenhall counterparts.

Batting first, Grappers made hard work of what the wicket gave, with opening bat A Roylance making 44 not out off 49 overs.

All bowlers contributed with wickets before Warrington knocked off the runs easily, with 57 from Mal Gwatkin helping his side to a seven-wicket win.

Warrington’s league-leading third XI went to Oxton thirds in high spirits but were reminded that anything can happen in cricket.

Despite topping 200, Warrington were disappointing with the bat once openers Rothwell, 39, and Mitchell, 74, were out.

In reply, a breakthrough was slow in coming as the Warrington fielding matched their sloppy bowling. Only John Stoker bowled with any passion and deservedly took all three wickets to fall as Oxton won at a canter.

The fourth team also suffered defeat at home to Marple/Mellor.

The visitors smashed the early Warrington attack, starting at seven runs an over for the first 10 overs.

But the introduction of Billy Gilbert slowed down the run rate, while Zaheer finished with 4 for 47 and Ainsley Wooldridge with 2 for 34 as Marple/Mellor closed on 202 for 7.

Ainsley Wooldridge, 55, and Mans Naseem, 27, made a good start with a stand of 90 and Simon Patterson,33, was going well until he was wrongly given out LBW.

A late rally from Sam Nichols, 22, and Simon Hewitt, 14, brought Warrington close but they finished the game on 184 all out.