LANCASHIRE continued their blistering start to the season as they demolished neighbours Cheshire 14-4 in a Daily Telegraph Northern Counties League match at Bromborough.

They powered their way through the foursomes 5-1 and the contest was over after they claimed six of the first seven singles when the only resistance came from Cheshire captain David Peel who beat Bury’s Ciaran Doherty by two holes and England player James Newton who eclipsed S&A’s Paul Howard 3&2.

Peel, who led his side to the league title in his first season at the helm in 2011, and spared them the wooden spool last year after a last day win at Northumberland, admitted: “Lancashire killed us off in the foursomes.

“They had so much experience right down to their number 12 and will take some beating this season.” Lancashire skipper Paul Williams, a member of the same Stockport club as his adversary, said: “I think Cheshire took us to Bromborough to quell our fire-power but it didn’t work.

“It was important that we got a good result, especially after we beat Cumbria 15-3 a couple of weeks ago at Royal Birkdale. It sets us up for the rest of the season.”

Lancashire posted some impressive figures either side of lunch.

Doherty combined with Haydock Park’s Ian Kenwright to clock up the biggest foursomes margin of 5&4 against newly crowned matchplay champion David Hird, from Leasowe and Wallasey’s Luke Mighall.

And the former was on the receiving end of a 5&4 drubbing by Preston’s Steve McGlynn in the afternoon as Hillside’s Richie Blundell dispatched Hird 4&3.

Even at this early stage of the campaign the race for the title, which Lancashire are defending, could finish on July 13 at Pleasington when they face nearest rivals Yorkshire, who thrashed Durham 13-5 at Eaglescliffe.

Meanwhile, Northumberland beat Cumbria by three points at Hexham.