Alderley Edge’s difficult start to the season continued on Saturday as Oxton notched their first victory of the year.

Batting first against visitors Oxton, Alderley were soon in trouble at 21-3, but a quality innings of 101 not out from Charlie Reid allowed them to achieve a fairly respectable total of 199-9 from their permitted 55 overs.

Only Jason?Whittaker (23) and Adam?Worrall (22) made any significant impact on the total as Saaiq Choudhury led the Oxton attack, finishing with 4-43 while Martyn Evans took 3-32.

In reply, the start of Oxton’s innings could not have been more of a contrast as stand-in captain Simon Stokes set about the Alderley attack from the word go.

The away side lost opener Alex Hughes to injury and the first wicket didn’t fall until the score had reached 179.

Stokes hit 18 fours and three sixes as he made a sparkling 122 accompanied by Andy Gibson, who was unbeaten on 67 at the end as Oxton coasted home by eight wickets on 201-2, with 13 overs remaining.

Reid was Edge’s only wicket-taker as he had both Stokes and Choudhury caught to register 2-38 from nine overs.

With current league leaders Neston the opponents next Saturday, Alderley will be hoping to step up their performance as they currently prop up the Premier League.

The second XI continued to fare better, having much the better of a draw at Middlewich.

Ben Heades top-scored with an aggressive 55 in a score of 234-8, and then had their hosts holding on desperately at nine wickets down.