Winsford 126 Pott Shrigley 129-6

Meller Braggins League Two

THE curtain raiser for the 2002 season ended in disappointment for Winsford on Saturday as not enough runs, coupled with several dropped catches, ensured their downfall.

Winsford's total of 126 reflected a battling effort from the middle and late order after they lost crucial early wickets.

The in-form Gareth Whitney was top scorer with 30 not out following his half century in last weekend's friendly with Lindow.

Andy Johnson scored 26 on his return to the club and skipper Colin Lewis chipped in with a typically robust 27.

Mark Nicholas scored 14 at number 11 with Shrigley's Rick Mattock doing damage with five wickets.

Winsford battled away but Andy Hart starred with 48 not out before Mattock clipped the winning boundary.

Despite dropping those chances, Winsford took three blinding catches through Johnson, David Potts and Barry Crellin.

Winsford bowling: Lewis 3-39; Crellin 1-45; C Dean 1-10; Nicholas 1-5.

l THIS Saturday Winsford go

to Malpas in the league (2pm).

l WINSFORD 2nds lost their first match of the season at Wirral Mersey Park after makng 178 batting first.

Steve Margerum's 39 rescued Winsford from a bad start at 50-4, helped by Richard Evers (25), John Kettle (14) and Steve Mayall (17).

Matthew Ravenscroft had a pont to prove to captain James Bland, who put him at number nine, and it did the trick as he caressed the ball around the ground and led Winsford to their final total.

Rob Brumby claimed his first two victims of the season and Graham Smith took 3-40 , but Park reached the target with four wickets and 13 balls to spare.

Winsford 2nds host Malpas this Saturday.