WESTON started their new North Staffs and District League season with a seven-wicket defeat at Wood Lane.

Batting first, Weston posted a respectable 175 with Mike Chester making 46, while new professional Abey Kuruvilla claimed 6-44 for the home side.

But they struggled to make inroads with the ball and 70 from English-qualified Kiwi Shane Willis guided Lane to a winning 178-3.

Weston picked up six points and Lane 20.

Holmes Chapel made a winning start to the Meller Braggins Cheshire League season with a successful run chase in their Division Two clash with Pott Shrigley.

The visitors were dismissed for 103 and Holmes made the runs for the loss of five wickets to claim their first 20-point haul of the campaign.

Cholmondeley made a disappointing start as they suffered a 42-run defeat at home to Wirral.

After suffering back-to-back relegations, Cholmondeley had hoped to make a winning start and did well to restrict their visitors to 149-8, but they were dismissed for 107 as their run chase faltered.