SPORTING activity will ramp up in the area in the coming days after exiting lockdown on Tuesday.

Knutsford Netball Club are among the ones to have used the four-week suspension of grassroots sport wisely so that they could be in a stronger position when coming out of lockdown and returning to tiered restrictions, albeit more stringent ones.

“Knutsford Netball Club have been using the lockdown to progress new club sponsorship, meaning we’re able to hit the ground running,” said a club spokesman.

“We have also been on a fundraising drive via Crowdfunder to help us continue to train outside, rather than our usual indoor training which we would be doing at this point in time without lockdown and Covid restrictions.

“We raised £4,000 on top of our new sponsorship deal. With the help of Knutsford Leisure Centre, we have also been able to have outdoor courts added to the astroturf, meaning we can continue to train throughout the cold winter months safely.”

Knutsford Golf Club are looking forward to their juniors being back in action.

"This summer the Knutsford Golf Club junior section continued to thrive and we were able to have a full club competition schedule from May through to October," said club professional Tim Maxwell.

"The prizes for these events were kindly sponsored by 14 different members.

"Golf was completely banned after the latest lockdown and the season came to an abrupt halt.

"With the lockdown finishing our juniors are once again able to play golf and prepare for the start of next season.

"Next year all our Cheshire league matches will start again and our juniors will enjoy travelling and competing against other top clubs once again in the local area.

"All our juniors have smart new team shirts and they are looking forward to finally wearing them in some competitive matches."

The Cheshire Football League is pressing ahead with a return as clubs prepare to play their first matches since lockdown on Saturday.

Among the clubs returning to action this weekend are Egerton, who travel to Winstanley Warriors.

The Yellows had played five times prior to lockdown, winning twice to leave them eighth in the Premier Division table.

However, Knutsford will have to wait until next weekend to return – their first post-lockdown fixture will be against Middlewich Town at Manchester Road on December 12.

Most teams in the Cheshire Football League fall within Tier 2 areas and under new restrictions, clubs are free to travel between Tier 2 regions for grassroots football.

As some teams fall within Greater Manchester – an area that has been placed under the strictest Tier 3 restrictions – they will have to play teams within their own area or wait until the government moves them down to Tier 2.

Meanwhile, training returns at Toft Cricket Club this week.

The women and girls resume their sessions this Saturday at noon outside.

And the club’s juniors also return at the same times they had pre-lockdown in Wilmslow.

They are this Sunday, 2pm-3pm for under 9s and 11s, and 3pm-4pm for under 13s and 15s.

These sessions will run for 3 weeks leading up to Christmas.

Toft have their annual meeting tonight, Thursday, on Zoom at 8pm.

The clubhouse opens again tomorrow night, Friday, with the bar open from 5pm and food being served from 7pm.

The food on offer is roast chicken, chips and trimmings for £5!

There are family tables inside or tables of six outside available to be booked via info@toftcc.co.uk.

Holmes Chapel Rugby Union Club are back in training this week too.

Sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the community centre pitch from 7pm, and all players and all abilities are welcome.

The club, which currently runs two senior sides and a vets team, prides itself on a friendly environment.

It has an active social side available to everyone and also runs family touch rugby sessions.

To keep busy during lockdown, the club has been preparing for next season by completing vital drainage works and also taking part in the Movember Charity event, with over £500 raised so far.

A club spokesman said: "It seems a long time ago since Holmes Chapel played their last games.

"Having secured promotion to their highest ever level, the effects of Covid have been frustrating for the club, although the club fully understands why and on the scale of things not being able to play rugby seems trivial.

"That said, the club were continuing to train following all the RFU guidelines. To ensure player safety, equipment was sanitised and player temperatures were taken before each session."

And the Covid precautions will continue to be followed now that training returns.