URMSTON Cricket club's first XI opened their Cheshire County Division One campaign with a clash with Oxton on home soil.

The visitors won the toss and put Urmston into bat and opener and captain Calum Turner and Michael Ness shared a 50-run partnership before the latter departed for 26.

Lewis Jackson joined Turner at the crease, and they took the score on to 202 by the 43rd over, Jackson departing for 41.

Captain Turner increased the pace of his innings throughout, not only passing his century in the process but also the previous Urmston first XI record for the highest individual score of 166 held by Steve Cartwright.

In total, Turner hit 19 fours and 11 sixes, the last six coming from the last ball of the innings on the way to reaching a personal and record breaking score of 202 not out and a team score of 275-2, batting with his father Chris when reaching the milestone.

In reply, an excellent opening spell from Cole Turner made the chase more challenging, dismissing both openers within the first eight overs.

Oxton’s captain Dale Williams and former Western Australia State player Michael Johnson came together and steadied the ship, sharing a 51-run partnership.

Williams was eventually caught for 35 by a superb catch from returning club favourite Craig Allison.

Oxton’s innings never really got going to threaten the Urmston score.

The home side persevered, however they could not dismiss the rest of the Oxton line up to gain the outright win. Oxton ended on 173-5 from their 50 overs, Johnson making 73.

Cole Turner was the pick of the bowlers with 4-36 off his 15 overs as Urmston secured 13 points.

The second team were successful in chasing a low total of 95 all out against Oxton, Aaron Moore taking 5-24 and debutant Matt Kilcourse 3-8.

In response, Urmston completed a 10-wicket victory, Bivan Saha and Max Buckley unbeaten on 53 and 41 respectively.