ELLESMERE Port lost their opening match of the Cheshire Alliance Division Two season on Saturday – but skipper Gareth Boys was not downhearted.
Port were on the end of a four-wicket home reverse to new boys Norbury in spite of an excellent batting display.
Chris Gatrell flayed 102 and Joseph Anthony 67 as Boys’ side took advantage of the perfect conditions to declare on 252-5.
But the batting paradise that is the Dunkirk Lane pitch also found favour with big-hitting Division Three champions Norbury, who made their way to 256-6 (Fahad Khan 3-72) with three overs to spare.
Boys said: “The pitch was fantastic but we’ve been working on our batting, and I think that showed. It was a very positive start to the season despite the result.”
Port head to Glazebury on Saturday.
Ellesmere Port 2nds were six-wicket winners at Eastham & Bromborough on Saturday as the Division Three campaign got under way.
Port cruised to 118-4 (Andy Sayers 41) after Keith Gatrell (6-56) ensured the home side got no further than 114-9.
The Groves 2nds were well beaten by Hartford 2nds, who bowled their visitors out for 68 (Damian Walters 42) and then hit 70-3 (Peter Hyndman Jnr 2-16) in reply.
