TIMPERLEY Cricket Club's strong start to the season came to an end last Saturday with the top three sides all losing high-scoring games.

Batting first at Chester Boughton Hall, the first XI scored 253-7 off 55 overs with Grant Hodnett scoring his third century in five innings (120), containing 13 fours and four sixes.

Canning played well later in the innings for 30 not out, while Williams was the pick of the Chester bowling with 3-41.

Chester cruised to an eight-wicket win in 44.1 overs with Goodwin scoring 103 before being dismissed by Galley, who took the only two wickets to fall for 39 runs.

The seconds also lost to Chester Boughton Hall. They had no answer to the batting of Griffiths (140no) and Metcalf (84no) who put on 240 for the second wicket in 264-1 in 46 overs.

In reply, only Shan Khan (48) and Horsfield (46) showed any form with the bat before the team were dismissed for 182.

A short-handed third XI played Didsbury and Jason Coad scored 109no in a total of 228-5 but this was easily chased down by ruthless Didsbury batting which saw them win by eight wickets with nine overs to spare.

At Pott Shrigley the fourth XI took the field first restricting their hosts to 138-7 in 40 overs, Sathi 2-21.

Following tea, Huzurbazar showed his class with a fluent 79no to lead the team home for a nine-wicket win.

On Sunday the fifth XI took on Woodley and obtained a draw. Chasing 225 (Tom Matthews 3-59), Timperley reached 196-8, with Rob Matthews top scoring with 72.

In midweek, the over-40s scored a rare victory over Grappenhall. Set a target of 138, Grappenhall were 85 all out in 15.3 overs.