MIKE Garvey was on fire with the ball as The Groves – formerly Castrol – took full points from their opening Cheshire Cricket Alliance Division One contest against Wilmslow Wayfarers.
Garvey took five wickets for just 11 runs as The Groves bowled their hosts out for 130.
Mike Caulfield also chipped in with three wickets before setting about building a match-winning innings.
The Groves began their reply with a stutter before Caulfield came in, with the top four all out lbw.
But number five Caulfield not only steadied the ship, but sailed it into victorious waters with an imperious 53 not out.
Supported by Garvey, Darren Gren, Patrick Hickey and Dale Cook, The Groves made 131-6 to claim 20 points. The Groves host Langley on Saturday.
In Division Two, Ellesmere Port welcomed back, after a season out, bowling ace Andy Sayers to their revamped line-up at Frodsham, but it was Paul Betteridge who stood out in this opening clash.
Port lost the game by 35 runs but a stunning performance from Betteridge saw him take 8-61 to dismember Frodsham’s batsmen.
Sayers and Dwayne Bernard supported Betteridge from the other end as he bowled from start to finish and Frodsham were all out for 143.
Unfortunately Port’s batsmen couldn’t capitalise.
After a poor start which left them hanging on at 13-3, Port debutant Joseph Anthony came in and scored 48.
But once his partnership with skipper Gareth Boys was ended the rest of the order could not hold on for a draw, losing their final wicket in the last over to finish 113ao. Port host Audlem on Saturday.
