MIDDLEWICH kicked off their Meller Braggins Cheshire League Division One season with victory over Lindow in a low-scoring game at Haddon Field on Saturday.

Stuart Price quickly justified his captain Geoff Tomlinson's decision to bowl first, taking two early wickets to leave the visitors struggling on 7-2.

Lindow's Mahoob hit a 66 that included three sixes in one over but once he was dismissed by the excellent John Shepherd with the score on 103-3, the home side bowled out their guests for only 121. Shepherd claimed a five-wicket haul and Phil Davies picked up three victims on his return to the club.

Middlewich's reply never really gained any momentum as Gavin Tomlinson top scored with a patient 27 before Chris Broomfield (18 not out) saw them safely home with four overs and three wickets to spare.

This Saturday Middlewich travel to Lymm Oughtrington Park, hoping to maintain their satisfying winning start to the season.

l MIDDLEWICH 2nds completed a winning weekend for the club with an opening day success at Lindow.

Everything seemed to be going right from the second over, when 17-year-old Lee Cagna made the breakthrough and Lindow staggered to 78-4.

But a massive fifth wicket partnership took the score past 200 and they finished on 246-8 form 45 overs.

Lee Cagna took 2-68, Ben Cagna 2-52, Chris Prime 1-21 and Phil Nelson 1-23.

Although Chris Bennett went in the second over of Middlewich's reply, last season's league aggregate record holder Steve Williams made 71 as he and another 17-year-old, Steven Parry, took the score to 105-2.

Parry then departed for a maiden 68 and Chris Ainley marked his debut with a fine 41 to take Middlewich within 30 runs of their target.

Ben Cagna scored 14o ff the 43rd over and this paved the way for Richard Goulding and vice-cpatian Vinnie Stott to see Middlewich home at 247-7 with three balls to spare.

This Saturday Middlewich 2nds are at home to newly promoted Bowdon Vale (2pm).