APPLETON Tigers got their 2017 Cheshire Women’s Cricket League season off to a flying start with victory over defending champions Chester Boughton Hall.

The visitors restricted Chester to 126-7 from their 40 overs with a superb bowling and fielding display, with Georgia Heath returning the best figures with 2-15.

With the bat, Emma Barlow led the way with a knock of 45 before Sylvia Christelow and Kim Challis saw the Tigers to a five-wicket win with 10 overs to spare.