Winning start bodes well for Beavers

making 42 from 51 deliveries. However, his dismissal – stumped by Sam Johnson off Wilkinson with the score on 119 effectively finished Grappenhall’s innings and they were all out 3 balls later for 119 in the 47th over.

The canny Wilkinson collected 4-28, and Littlewood 3-25 with the ball. That seven dismissals fell to catches was perhaps no real surprise on an early season wicket.

After tea, the Beavers’ openers looked approach the low total positively. However, both fell within a run of each other to see the score reduce to 20-2, which became 33-3 a short time later.

Grappenhall sensed their opportunity, but the organised Banthorpe and an unusually restrained Naseer played sensibly and picked their boundaries carefully.

The home support had eased a little in their seats as Bramhall passed the halfway point, but Banthorpe was then bowled by a good one from Rao for a classy 31.

Another 81 runs were added before the 5th wicket fell, again to the impressive looking Rao, but Jack Harris (14*) then steadied the ship as he helped Naseer to add the remaining 37 runs to bring up a five wicket victory. Naseer showed late touches of his destructive nature and he finished on 42* from 56 balls.

An all-too-rare first day victory for the Beavers sees them top the Vivio Cheshire County League Premier Division table, at least for a week, but they will not be getting ahead of themselves as a tough trip to Toft awaits next week.

And there were definitely areas in which they can improve, despite the many positives to take from the game.

Sunday’s Cheshire Cup first round tie at home to Alvanley unfortunately fell victim to the morning’s heavy showers, and will be replayed with date TBC.