BATTING struggles were the order of the day for Grappenhall, Appleton and Warrington as they kicked off the new cricket season.

Kicking off on home turf against Cheadle, Grappers posted a below-par 120 all out with Albert Pennington top scoring with 32.

The bowlers were always going to struggle to defend such a total, and so it proved as Cheadle coasted to a nine-wicket victory.

The seconds travelled the opposite way to their Cheadle counterparts but experienced similar struggles as they were dismissed for just 77 in pursuit of the hosts’ total of 207.

Jack Critchley took four wickets with the ball while Graeme Rowlands top-scored with the bat with 30.

Things do not get much easier for Grappers on Saturday as they travel to defending league champions Nantwich, with the seconds hosting their counterparts from the same club.

Meanwhile, Appleton had a difficult start to life in Cheshire Cricket League Division Two.

They had Hawk Green in trouble at 94-4, but they failed to take another wicket as a victory target of 247 was set.

Their reply never got going as they crumbled 57 all out.

The seconds also suffered a three-wicket loss to Maritime despite four wickets from Aamir Rashid taking them close to defending their total of 104.

The thirds were beaten at Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge after being bowled out for 100, with the hosts winning by seven wickets.

Warrington began the season with a disappointing loss to newly promoted Congleton.

Despite a promising innings from Tom Higham and new recruit Pat Tyrell, Warrington were all out for 115.

The Warrington bowlers worked tirelessly in the heat, reducing Congleton to 35-5. However, the task proved too much, with Congleton eventually winning by two wickets.

Warrington skipper Ashley Scholes was quick to praise the attitude in the second innings after an horrendous start to the season with the bat.

The first team will be looking to kick start their campaign away at Tattenhall on Saturday.

It was a bettr start to the season for Warrington's seconds and their new captain Tushar Mahambrey, who rejoined Warrington from Liverpool CC during the off season.

The seconds put on a dominant display away at Oxton, who were bowled out for 127.

Simon Hewitt took four wickets, Isaac Webster two.

Warrington made short work of the run chase, winning with 20 overs to spare.

Rishav Manta hit an excellent 50 not out, supported by the wise old head of Phil Whelan, 25, and Tushar Mahambrey, 30 not out.

After promotion and a championship winning season last year, the thirds hosted a strong Timperley side at Walton Lea.

Warrington reached an impressive 202 for 7.

They then set about picking off the Timperley batsmen.

Umer Zeb took a magnificent six wickets but Warrington could not remove Timperley’s last pair.

The scheduled opposition for Warrington's fourths conceded the game prior to the weekend as they could not raise a side.

The fourths are looking good this year, but if anyone is interested in taking up cricket feel free to join in training at Warrington Sports Club on a Tuesday from 6pm.