The Men’s 1st XI started the season by hosting neighbours Winnington Park. Captain Craig Phelan won the toss and elected to field. Winnington’s opening pair made a watchful start, reaching 70 before Matt Worsdale made the first breakthrough in the 22nd over. Matt Howard (2/46) then picked up a couple of scalps before an onslaught from Winnington’s overseas propelled the scoring rate. Ethan Yeo picked up his first wicket for the club, bowling in tandem with James Hodkinson (1/34). Yeo then took a further three wickets to finish with figures of 4/53 before Worsdale (2/39) returned to add a wicket of his own as Winnington closed their innings on 207/9.

Oakmere’s innings was a stop start affair. Openers Craig Phelan and Nick Verma put on 28 before both fell in quick succession. James Hodkinson and Aaron Court threatened a fightback but the latter’s wicket sparked a middle order collapse as Oakmere fell to 68/6. Hodkinson remained but when he fell for 35 with the score on 94, it left a tough ask for the hosts. Worsdale (22) and the remainder of the lower order battled valiantly, but Oakmere were eventually bowled out for 136.

Chester Boughton Hall 3rd XI (207/3) vs Oakmere Men’s 2nd XI (206/5) – Chester Boughton Hall won by 7 wickets

The Men’s 2nd XI travelled to Chester Boughton Hall and were asked to bat first after captain Mike Dodd lost the toss. Early wickets saw Oakmere fall to 22/3 before Paul Guilford and debutant Harry Poole battled patiently. Poole fell with the score on 51, bringing Dan Faulkner to join Guilford. The pair continued to battle against some testing bowling until Guilford (28) fell to an excellent caught and bowled effort, leaving the score at 68/5 at the end of the 27th over. Mike Dodd joined Faulkner at the crease and the two batted steadily, waiting for and capitalising on any loose deliveries. The two accelerated towards the end of the innings with both reaching their half centuries and sharing an unbroken partnership worth 138 runs with the innings closing on 206/5. Dodd finished on 74 and Faulkner 51.

With the ball, testing opening spells from Mike Cushion and Hamish Shovelton tied Chester down early. Shovelton (2/54) capitalised on the pressure, bowling the number 1 and 3 batters, leaving the score on 40/2 at the end of the 12th over. Mathew Giles and Ethan Mackin replaced the two opening bowlers and dealt with greasy bowling conditions well but were unfortunate not to claim any wickets. Sean McDonnell (1/37) made the breakthrough with Poole taking a good catch on the boundary, but this was to be the last wicket that fell as Chester’s number 4 bludgeoned his way to a well paced century to carry his side home.

Oakmere Women’s 1st XI (148 ao) vs Appleton 1st XI (95 ao) – Oakmere won by 53 runs

The Women’s 1st XI got their season underway on Sunday after a late reversal of venue saw them hosting Appleton at Overdale Lane. Oakmere were asked to bat first and struggled early, falling to 13/5. An excellent partnership of 93 between Kate Skelhorn (56) and Rachel Warrenger (31) rebuilt the innings and pushed the score past the 100 mark. Some late runs from Sophie Connor (21*) pushed the scoreboard on, seeing the innings close on 148.

Oakmere started well with the ball, as Sarah Worsdale (1/13) made an early breakthrough. Kate Skelhorn then continued her excellent day as she took two wickets in 4 balls in a great spell of 4 overs 2/6. Becky Jones picked up 3/14 and Thea Murray Williams (1/12) and Rachel Warrenger (1/18) a wicket each to leave Appleton struggling on 87/8 before Nat Lyons (2/14) returned to the attack to claim the final two wickets and see the visitors bowled out for 95.