CREWE started the season in fine fashion as they claimed a six-wicket win at Hem Heath.

Callum Bacon carried his bat for 68 as the Vagrants successfully chased down the home total of 138 all out (38.1 overs) in the North Staffs and South Cheshire Division Three opener.

Crewe captain Tate Rutter's decision to bat second proved an astute one as Ollie Jarvis and Adrian Cockett got among the Hem Heath 2nd XI batsmen.

Cockett was Crewe's star man, ending with figures of 3-23, while Jarvis and Shaukat Bashir took two wickets apiece.

In reply Bacon and Rutter put on 69 for the third wicket to steer the visitors past their target in the 28th over (141-4). Rutter thrashed a quick-fire 34.

Crewe's second XI hammered Hem Heath's fourths with Stuart Elsam (72), Max Parry (48) and Sam Carney (42) on top form with the bat in a big total of 238-6 from 40 overs.

Parry took 4-10 as Heath were skittled for 103 in the 26th over, with Crewe recording a 135-run victory.

Lew Bacon had an outstanding afternoon with the bat in Sunday's Stone and District League clash at Bignall, hammering 164 off 117 balls.

But the stand-out display - which made him the club's record highest scorer - wasn't enough to win a game festooned with runs.

Crewe declared on 229-4 (33.5 overs), but Bignall, helped by Tomy Myatt's century, managed to overhaul the total to claim a seven-wicket success (230-3 in 41.5 overs)