Cricket: Nantwich CC held to opening day draw by Macclesfield

Defending champions Nantwich CC were held to a draw in their opening Cheshire Premier League match.

The Whitehouse Lane club, bidding for a fourth successive title, posted a solid 229-6 as they batted first.

Wicket keeper Jonny Kettle top scored for Nantwich with 80.

And special registration player Liam Livingstone, a Lancashire Academy batsman, looked the part for his debut 76.

The duo put on 144 runs for the second wicket, with Rob Porter the pick of the Macclesfield bowlers, with figures of 4 for 55.

And the visitors proved a stubborn opposition in reply.

They were saved from a likely defeat by their number eight batsman Craig Melrose, who notched a fine 60 not out.

Macclesfield closed on 182-8.

Nantwich earned 13 points from the 55-over winning draw, Macclesfield clinched five points.

In other Premier League opening day games, Chester and Alderley Edge drew, Toft beat Bowdon, Hyde defeated Didsbury, Neston overcame Marple, and Grappenhall beat Oxton.

Nantwich travel to face Didsbury this Saturday April 27, and then play away at Stone the following day in the Kingfisher Beers Cup national knock-out competition.