NANTWICH fell to a nine-wicket defeat at Toft on the opening day of their ECB Premier League campaign.

Toft won the toss and opted to bowl, dismissing the visitors for 154 with only Oliver Griffiths, 36, and Robert Cook-Sievwrieght, 30, making headway. Chris Connolly took one wicket for 21 in four overs in return.

Nantwich’s former Lancashire all-rounder Gareth Cross has made Cheshire’s 15-man squad for the Unicorns Knock Out Cup, which starts against Northumberland at Jesmond on April 27.

Nantwich begin their National Championship Group Six campaign against Alderley Edge on Saturday.

Wistaston drew their opening encounter with Port Sunlight in Cheshire Cricket Alliance Division One.

Mike Chester made an unbeaten 49 and Josh Allwood enjoyed a knock of 43 as the visitors made 189 for 7. Keith Thornhill took 40 for 2 in return with Port Sunlight finishing on 182 for 6.

Promoted Haslington started life in the Cheshire Cricket League Division Three with a win against Stockport Trinity.

Having won the toss and elected to bowl, the visitors skittled Stockport for 76 in 29 overs with Tom Gledhill completing the bowling with his eighth wicket, taking 8 for 22 in 14 overs.

Haslington lost two early wickets before Ben Leigh, 36, and Jonny Phipps, 32, powered past Stockport’s total in 16 overs.

Crewe Vagrants suffered a 166 runs loss to Hem Heath Forsbrook in the North Staffs and South Cheshire League Championship Division Three A on Saturday.

George Harding put up a fight with 3 for 61 from 15 overs, but the hosts eased to 245 for 7. Crewe in turn were skittled for 79 with only an unbeaten 15 from Mike Coxon and David Hurst’s 22 posing any threat.