GRAPPENHALL are looking forward to life back at the top of the county pyramid when a new season starts tomorrow, Saturday.

After winning promotion to the Cheshire County Cricket League’s top-flight at the end of last year, Grappers have been handed a tough trip to champions Alderley Edge.

The seconds also get their campaign started on Saturday when they welcome their Davenham counterparts to Broad Lane.

They will hope to go one better than a third-placed finish in 2016, and seal a return to the Second XI Premier Division.

There have been several new recruits at Broad Lane, including the return of former youth team player Luke McCoy, who joins from Sale to link up with brother James.

This year’s overseas player is 19-year-old Australian Owen Lynch, a batsman and off-spin bowler who plays his first grade cricket for Valley District in Brisbane.

After moving up to first grade level over Christmas, Lynch hit 250 runs in five innings as he helped his side place fourth in Queensland.

Middle-order batsman Adam Green comes from closer to home as he makes the switch from neighbours Warrington, who also get their season underway on Saturday.

They host Macclesfield in Division One and there will be a welcome sight at Warrington Sports Club in the shape of a new electronic scoreboard, which was fitted in time for the forthcoming campaign.

The hosts will be hoping for a more comfortable season this time around after they escaped relegation on the final day in 2016.

Meanwhile the club’s seconds make a trip to face Bramhall on Saturday Also in action on Saturday are Appleton, who host Aston at Lyons Lane in the Cheshire Cricket League Division Three, and Glazebury, who welcome Winsford to Hurst Lane in Division Four.

Stretton travel to Langley for their opener, while league officials have announced Rylands, who were due to play in Division Four, have resigned from the league.