WILMSLOW Cricket Club’s newly promoted first XI got their 2017 season off to the best possible start at the weekend.

The Squirrels will be hunting more points when they visit Bunbury in UKFast Cheshire Cricket League Division Two on Saturday on the back of a comfortable 25-point win against near neighbours Ashley.

Wilmslow, based at the Rectory Field adjacent to Wilmslow Leisure Centre, racked up 208 all out but Ashley could only respond with 85.

Youth was given a chance to shine in a much-changed line-up to the one that dominated Division Three last season, with Jake Woodhouse, Chris Arnott and Waqar Malik making their debuts having come through the club’s ranks.

Jags Narayanan, 27, and Rob Herriot, 28, set off like a train.

But this was a day for patience, and with the odd ball sticking they kept mid-on and mid-off busy with mistimed drives.

Ethan Harding, 23, and Steve Fulker, 28, went the same way, before Malik with a brutal 48 showed what was possible, punishing the short balls.

Ashley faced a formidable total, but looked comfortable at the start before Toby Rowe put in a trademark throw for a first-wicket run out.

From then on it was a procession.

The wickets were shared out, Jayam Patel and Narayanan had two each for not many as did first change bowlers Harding, 2 for 12, and Woodhouse, 2 for 9.

The latter was undoubtedly the pick, which bodes well for the future.

Arnott took a great catch, running backwards and taking it over his shoulder.