THE senior cricketers at King Edward VII & Queen Mary School made an excellent start as they face up to a demanding schedule of fixtures this season.

A victory by 130 runs over visitors from Liverpool College gave captain John Hill and his side a great boost.

Opener Richard Cragg with 52 put King Edwards in the driving seat.

A lively partnership between Ben Jurin and Chris Roberts accelerated the score admirably and the home side declared on 181 for 6.

Paceman Lee Blackett with 3 for 11 and leg spinner Chris Pickles with 3 for 13 shot out Liverpool for just 51. The Lytham side now entertain the MCC in their prestigious annual fixture on May 4 and then meet the talented Sedbergh side in a tough home fixture.

The MCC will be captained by former Essex player, Bob Cooke.

Coach Andy Weston believes that his young side will play adventurous cricket in a 25 match programme.

"Despite the wet weather our groundsman, Paul Ovitts, has succeeded in producing some excellent playing conditions" he said.

"I am hoping that our batsmen will post big totals which will enable our spinners, Chris Pickles and Lorin Smith, to bowl with attacking fields."

King Edward's will entertain Birkenhead, Abingdon and Wimbledon in an end of term festival in July and will conclude their season with a short tour of Yorkshire.