HASLINGTON made a superb start to the new season with a 32-run win at Rode Park.
Professional Andre Percival was the star of the show, picking up 6-50 to bowl his side to victory after they had been restricted to 125-9 on a testing track.
Vice-captain Richard Bebbington top scored for Haslington with 31, but Percival's seamers proved too much for Park as the visitors were able to defend their modest total and help themselves to 25 points.
Crewe newcomer Shahid Khan made an immediate impact with the ball as Stafford held out for a draw at Newcastle Road.
After scoring an impressive 192-9 declared, new-look Crewe were always in control but Stafford clung on to finish on 102-9.
The Crewe team contained five new faces, although professional Aamer Iqbal was not among them after difficulties obtaining a flight from Pakistan.
After losing an early wicket, Mark Hurst (24) and Nick Lange (27) shared a half-century stand before a flurry of wickets saw them collapse to 98-7.
Two players returning to the club, Matt Dawson and Neil Webb, rallied the side by putting on 63 for the eighth wicket before Dawson was dismissed for 40.
Webb went on to top score with 45 before the declaration.
Stafford made a terrible start to their innings with Khan snapping up a rapid five-for and Mike Holt collecting another wicket to leave them floundering on 25-6.
But opener S Knighton (69no) dug in and with good support from the lower order, Stafford somehow managed to bat out 54 overs to gain an unlikely draw, despite Khan's return of 7-24 from 27 tight overs.
Crewe picked up nine points for their efforts to Stafford's six.
Elworth's opener at Kidsgrove was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain.
In the ECB Premier Division, Betley drew at home to Knypersley.
The visitors had first use of a difficult wicket and made 145-7, largely thanks to 73 from Ross Salmon. Adrian Butler took 3-18 for Betley.
The home side reached 84-7 at the end of their innings with Simon Cork top scoring with 36.
