WEEK two of Oakmere Cricket Club's 2023 season saw the men's first XI taking on newly promoted Heaton Mersey at Overdale Lane, while the men's second XI travelled to Upton.

At Overdale Lane, visitors Heaton Mersey won the toss and elected to bowl after heavy overnight rain on Friday.

The Oakmere innings never really got going, with a 29-run partnership between captain Craig Phelan (17) and debutant Zach Howdle (10) being the highest of the innings.

Dave Purcell (21) hung around, but Oakmere only managed to amass 86.

In the response, Matt Holland (2-27) and Nick Guest made early inroads to leave the visitors at 36-3, but a fourth wicket partnership of 31 broke the back of the chase.

Guest (2-22 from 15 overs) chipped in with another wicket and two late wickets from James Hodkinson (2-16) saw Oakmere put in a good fight, but there weren't enough runs on the board to defend as Heaton Mersey reached their target in the 38th over.

After an excellent opening weekend win, the men's seconds also lost the toss at Upton and they were also invited to bat first.

Openers Adrian Stubbs (25) and Aaron Court (12) made a steady start on a tricky pitch, before both fell in quick succession.

Debutant Rob Frederick made a battling 13 before being dismissed, bringing veterans Ian Eaton and Paul Guilford together at the crease.

The two continued battling before beginning to up the scoring rate, putting on 92 together before Guilford fell for 36.

Eaton fell for 63 soon after before captain Mike Dodd made a quickfire 19 from 15 balls to propel Oakmere's score to 191-5 from their 50 overs.

Oakmere's bowlers dominated the Upton chase. Their accuracy saw runs hard to come by, leaving the hosts on 48-1 after 28 overs.

Aaron Court's 4-8 from six overs and Adrian Stubbs' 3-9 from seven overs gave Oakmere a sniff, but unfortunately Upton shut up shop and batted out for a draw, finishing on 96-8 from their 50 overs.

Unfortunately the first game of the new league camapign for the women's first XI away to Nantwich was washed out without a ball being bowled.

They will try to get going this Sunday at home against Stockport Georgians.