THE new league campaign got underway successfully for Oakmere Cricket Club's men's first and second XIs and the women's second XI.

The men's first XI made the long journey to face a stern test in the shape of last season's third-place finishers Hawk Green.

On losing the toss, Oakmere were invited to bat first and were under early pressure at 27/3.

In the first game of his second stint with the club, Slade Mitrovich took the counter attack to the Hawk Green bowlers on his way to a brisk 40 from 36 balls, before falling with the score at 66/4.

Captain Craig Phelan (20) and vice captain James Norton (23) hung around to take the score towards the 100 mark before the former fell.

Lower order runs from Matt Holland (20) and Nick Guest (12) took Oakmere's score to 141 at the end of the innings.

Oakmere got the perfect start with the ball, when Matt Norton (1/30) dismissed the Hawk Green opening batter with the first ball of the innings.

Holland got in on the action at the other end, claiming three wickets in his first spell before James Hodkinson (1/34) also took a wicket to leave the hosts in trouble at 45/5.

Hawk Green rallied until the drinks break before two wickets in two balls from Dave Purcell (2/13) swung the game in Oakmere's favour.

Nick Guest got the eighth Hawk Green wicket with the score on 108 and the returning Holland (4/23) claimed the ninth.

Guest (2/12) took the final wicket to leave Hawk Green all out for 118 and give Oakmere the victory.

The men's second XI kicked off their campaign hosting the newly promoted Maritime.

The home side won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that possibly looked the wrong one as the Maritime openers made their way through the first 17 overs unscathed.

Ethan Mackin made the breakthrough, quickly followed by a wicket for Sean McDonnell (1/31).

A brilliant six-over spell either side of the drinks break from Aaron Court (3/9), including an additional run out from Nathan Gee, gave Oakmere the advantage, but Maritime rallied well and it took a superb second spell from Matt Howard (1/41), plus a run out off his own bowling, to tie things down once again.

Mackin (3/20) returned to take the final two wickets with Maritime setting a target of 141.

In the reply, two early Maritime wickets gave the visitors a boost.

This brought together Alex Hodges and Ian Eaton who batted sensibly and patiently to take the wind out of the opposition's sails.

At 90/2, Oakmere looked well on their way to a comfortable victory, but the wicket of Eaton (31) sparked a collapse of six wickets for 37 runs.

Crucially, Hodges remained unbeaten and excellent running between himself and Howard saw the required runs creep downwards. Hodges fittingly hit a boundary to win the game, finishing on an excellent 63 not out.

The women's second XI also got their season underway at home, hosting Wistaston Village.

After losing the toss, Oakmere were asked to bat first. Carol Ingham retired undefeated on 30, whilst Charlotte King made 13 as Oakmere finished their 20 overs on 81/4.

With the ball, King picked up where she left off with the bat, taking three wickets for 16 runs in a fine spell.

Emily Faulkner also claimed three wickets, one with the ball and two run outs as Wistaston were restricted to 79/6 from their 20 overs, giving Oakmere the victory by the fine margin of two runs.

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