REIGNING ECB Premier League champions Alderley Edge will be among the favourites to keep their title if new Australian paceman Hamish Winter-Irving can maintain his early-season form.

After his 6 for 40 return had blitzed Grappenhall on the opening day, the 24-year-old Victorian with the Scottish christian name claimed even better figures of 14-4-32-7 to rout Didsbury for 81 at Moss Lane on Saturday.

He was helped by Tom Foreman’s 3 for 38 as Didsbury were sent back for 81 in just 28 overs.

The Alderley batsmen also had a struggle in a reply of 84 for 5, skipper Adam Worrall seeing his team over the line with an unbeaten 35.

Bramhall, yet to taste a win this season, will be the visitors to Moss Lane this weekend.

Also with 50 points from two games in the Premier Division are Timperley, who won by four wickets at Bramhall after dismissing their hosts for 180, with Matt Higginbottom, 39, and Jack White 4 for 47.

In Timperley’s reply of 181-6, Abishekh Kulkarni scored 38 and Craig Grindley 37 not out, while Luke Littlewood took 3 for 23.

Toft are the third club with maximum points, their second victory being by four wickets at Hyde, thanks largely to Lancashire’s Rob Jones who scored a superb unbeaten 100 that included 18 fours and a six.

He was helped by Sam Hatcher, 33, as Toft replied with 195 for 6.

Chester Boughton Hall, who had opened up with a huge victory over Neston, were trounced by six wickets at promoted Grappenhall after being restricted to a 199 score in which Harry Killoran clocked up 53 and Rick Moore 52.

Gaz Burns, 4 for 45, did the main damage before Grappers replied with 203 for 4 in just 44 overs at Broad Lane.

Ollie Lynch was 77 not out, Adam Roylance 41 and James MccCoy 35 not out.

Nantwich won a low-scoring game by two wickets at Bowdon after sending their hosts back for a paltry 127, with Simon Marshall, 35, Jimmy Warrington, 4 for 21 and Ollie Griffiths 4 for 24.

Nantwich squeezed home at 130 for 6, with Henry Dobson, 41, and Ireland World Cup star Niall O’Brien, 32, while new boy Dewi Jones claimed 6 for 42 for the South Downs Road club – last season’s Premiership runners-up, who have lost both opening games.