And so we launch into 2026 and what a great way to start for our champion batter Roshini Prince-Navaratnam who hit an unbeaten 100 in the women’s first game of the season vs Oakmere. Accompanied throughout by Isabelle Hevican – Issy falling for 65 off the final ball of the innings, bringing to an end an opening stand of 188 – Rosh showed great concentration, fitness and her usual wide range of strokes in a fantastic knock.

At a similarly early stage last season Oakmere beat the girls by 3 runs, but this time round it was Dids’ turn to just hold on, bowling out their opponents for 176 to win by 12 runs. They made it harder work for themselves by bowling 42 wides (56 extras in total) but Sasha Turnock, with 4 wkts and a run-out, and Isabelle again in the action with two wkts and two catches, stood out on a pleasing start to the league campaign.

Andrew Mashiter narrowly missed out on being a second Dids centurion, missing a swat when right in front for the 3s in their T20 opener vs Trinity, having smashed 89 off 46 bs. He and Nikash had added 143 runs for the 2nd wkt in 14 os, Nikash making the most of a life when a dolly was shelled at mid-on in the third over, and with Krishav keen to follow their example, the 3s were over the hills and far away halfway through their innings in all truth, Trinity unable to cope. Their small but noisy contingent cheered all their boundaries (five in total) as Dids gave themselves a huge NRR advantage in the group with a big win.

The only downside for the 3s was for captain Battersby, whose attempts to boost his batting and bowling averages came unstuck, lbw second ball for a duck and having to content himself with a maiden at the lower order instead of burgling a couple. But more seriously, JB was rightly delighted with the overall performance. Bramhall away next for the 3s on Sunday.

The 4s also won their T20 opener but in marked contrast to the 3s, theirs was a high-tension, skin-of-the-teeth win at Timperley, with 1 wkt and two balls in hand. But it was a brilliant win, beating a Premier Division side after Usman’s wily off-spin induced a shuddering Timpers collapse, going from 71-3 to 83 all out in 5 overs. However, the drama was far from over as the 4s went from 60-3 to 83-9, the pressure mounting as the 4s inched towards the line. Who else but Usman to steer them over it of course, huge relief and big congratulations all round. With the other game in the group cancelled, the 4s got an extra leg up and a win at Romiley on Sunday will put them in pole position (n.b. all cricket at Romiley this weekend was cancelled.)

I had been at Timperley 24 hours previously with the 1s, and it felt like 24 hours at the ground as we waited and waited for play to start. I have given my thoughts on proceedings pre-start elsewhere, but the protracted delay was a big frustration and disappointment. As for the match itself, it wasn’t all bad news – Alex (pictured above) played really well, Joe Cooke looked in a good bowling groove, and Tom showed a lot of composure (and a neat range of shots). James G effortlessly played the shot of the day, a casual flick which sailed over the wall on the far boundary. But it was in the field that the 1s fell short, and they will know a big improvement is needed for the double-header this coming weekend.

The good news on Saturday came with both the 2s and 2As getting their campaigns started with wins. The 2s did it the hard way, though, slumping to 109-8 at home to Neston before doggedly hanging on and getting the total to 148 – a far cry from the fluency of last season, but still a score to defend. And with Tayls ad OG having been largely responsible for the scoreboard boost, they then led the way with the ball after a testing opening burst from Bidder junior and Seb. OG also starred with a run out late on as Neston could only manage 113. It could be a tight season for the 2s, especially with the expectation that rests upon defending champions, but it was a creditable start, and next Saturday’s trip to Oxton, who demolished Cheadle on Sat, will be a big early test.

The 2As got to play on the main ground at Macc and in a tense conclusion, held on to win a thriller by 6 runs. Ibrahim batted with great patience to make 52 off 121 bs, the captain joining him late on to see the total climb from 91-7 upto the heights of 163. Just how valuable that was became apparent as the Macc wkts kept tumbling, Nikash claiming four with Jack H and Aaron G two apiece, Rehmani limping out of the attack early to reduce options. Hopefully he will be fighting fit for the trip to Mere on Saturday when Bowdon are the opponents.