CUP cricket took over from the league over the weekend with the first round of this season's Ray Digman Knockout Trophy played in glorious sunshine.

Wallasey shrugged off their poor start to the season by racking up 290-9 off their 45 overs at Leigh. Josh Rylance (96), Chris Davies (76) and Sumit Ruikar (62) enjoyed themselves with the bat before the hosts were bowled out for 199.

Birkenhead Park are also through after beating Newton le Willows by six wickets. Alex Harris (3-32) and David Nevin (3-26) combined to bowl the home side out for 113 with Satyajeet Bachhav (45no) sealing the victory.

On Friday evening, Park travelled to Liverpool in the preliminary round of the Liverpool Echo Invitation Cricket Knockout Trophy and made 117-5 off their 20 overs. Khalid Wahbi took 3-13 as the Division One side could only reach 97-8. 

Adam Neal scored 55 for New Brighton as they were dismissed for 138 at Ormskirk with the hosts completing an eight wicket win. 

The first round of the Ray Tyler Cup also took place with Parkfield Liscard recording their first win since July 2021 as they saw off Prestatyn by four wickets at Beach Close. Jehan Yahathugoda (5-33) starred with the ball as the Welshmen were dismissed for 137 before Nuwan Chathuvanga (55) sparked the celebrations. 

Caldy's struggles continued as they exited to Old Xaverians after making 147-9 off their 45 overs with Xavs claiming a six wicket win.

Sunday saw the first round of the Cheshire Cup played with a clean sweep of wins for the Liverpool Competition sides involved. 

Bowden made 231-7 off their 40 overs against Birkenhead Park before Mark Rowland's 85 was the highlight of a thrilling two wicket win for the visitors. 

Sebastian Boates struck an unbeaten 127 with Owais Shah (65) offering good support as New Brighton posted 305 all out against Lindow. Sukhjit Singh took 3-63 as the away side claimed a 32 run win. 

Timperley were bowled out for 171 by Wallasey who sealed a commanding nine wicket win thanks to Jamie Crawley's unbeaten 102 and 51 from Josh Rylance.