BEFORE Saturday, Knutsford Cricket Club's first team had not played for three weeks.

However, they made light of their inactivity at Bredbury St Marks, notching a 30-run victory following an impressive all-round display.

Having been put into bat by their hosts, Ripon Ahmed and Khawar Iqbal gave Knutsford a solid start before Adnan Ghazanfar and Waqar Khan took over.

Khan finished with the top score of 54, with valuable support coming later on from Tayef Ahmed (36) and Rana Saqlain (35 not out) as the visitors closed on 193-8.

Saqlain then made the breakthrough after the Bredbury openers had put on 69 for the first wicket.

Seemingly well set on 97-1, the hosts then lost four wickets for just nine runs as Knutsford applied the pressure.

They fell 30 runs short of their target in the end, with Saqlain the pick of the bowlers with three wickets.

The seconds lost their unbeaten record – they were beaten at home by Heaton Mersey Village despite the bowlers putting up a huge fight defending a low total.

Knutsford were dismissed for a below-par 116 batting first, but a five-wicket haul from Atal Jan dragged them back into the contest.

However, the visitors were able to limp over the line to a one-wicket victory.

This weekend, the firsts welcome Winnington Park to Mereheath Lane while the seconds make the short trip to Styal.