BROOKLANDS first XI made it three out of three with a convincing 128-run victory at Hale Barns that sees them move joint top of the Cheshire County Cricket League Division Two.

Skipper Jack Bagshaw lost his first toss of the season, but this barely had an impact on the outcome of the match as the Bears were put into bat and quickly went about establishing their dominance on proceedings.

A solid 45-run opening partnership laid the foundations before returning opener David Cunliffe was removed by Dave Saddington (1-23) for 16.

Bagshaw and Kevin Carroll continued to pile on the runs before Bagshaw fell victim to the first-change bowler Sam Smith (3-40) just five short of his half-century.

Carroll fell soon after for just nine as he became Smith's second victim and when Chris Hart, Ali Buchan and Alex Edwards returned to the pavilion hardly troubling the scorers the visitors' innings looked to be faltering at 108-6.

While wickets were falling rapidly at the other end, AJ Hart quickly went about trying to bring the Brooklands innings back on track.

He found a stable partner in Caleb Jones who, after his heroic batting performance the previous week, assisted Hart in steadying the ship as the pair put on a near 50-run partnership before Jones was dismissed by Joe Cooper (4-62) for a well-fought 21.

Hart, who by now was looking to accelerate the innings, was finally dismissed by Sam Smith – caught by Ben Smith – for an excellent 70, leaving the home side chasing 186 for victory.

Unfortunately for the hosts, they never looked like reaching the target set for them as wickets began to tumble and it was the standout players of the first innings, Jones and Hart that shone in the second.

Khurram Hussain became the first batsman to reach double figures but wickets continued to tumble at the other end, with four batsmen out for ducks.

The home side dropped from 32-4 to 32-7, with Hussain also falling for 17 as Hart (4-29) gained his fourth dismissal.

He also ran out Barns skipper, Ben Hicks, and then left the rest of the work to Jones who, after removing the remaining opener, saw off the lower order, finishing with superb figures of 5-24 off just 10 overs.

Vice-captain Christian Dodson was the only other batsman to offer any form of sustained resistance with 15 but Barns were all out for just 57.

The first XI will look to keep the winning streak going against Didsbury in the first T20 match of the season at home tonight before hosting Christleton on Saturday.

The second XI are still looking to kickstart their season after a loss at home to Upton.

Upton put Brooklands into bat after winning the toss and, despite an excellent second-wicket stand between youngsters Joe Gill (51) and Dan O’Gorman (25), they were bowled out in the 50th over for 144.

In reply, it took Upton 47 overs to reach their total and with nine wickets down the game could have gone either way.

An improved performance from the seconds this week at Urmston will surely see them pick up their first win of the season.

Meanwhile, Hale Barns' second XI picked up their first win of the season, overcoming Port Sunlight with an impressive four-wicket victory.

Brooklands third XI picked up a useful losing draw and 11 points at Bredbury St Marks.

Batting first, Bredbury chalked up a respectable 176-9 in their 45 overs with four wickets going to Andy Batty (4-22) and three to Mamoon Nouman (3-51).

In reply, the Bears' innings was salvaged by an excellent 76 not out from vice captain Paul Vesey, who was ably assisted by skipper Andy Batty (21) as the visitors saw out their 45 overs, finishing on 125-7.

The thirds host Disley on Saturday.