IF you want one word to sum up Egerton’s first three years in the Greater Manchester Cricket League, rollercoaster should do it.

Champions of the inaugural Premier League in 2016, they added last season’s Derek Kay Trophy cup competition to their cabinet.

Unfortunately, however, their league title defence did not go to plan and they ended up being relegated.

If that was not enough, they were then reinstated into the top flight for 2018 when Bamford Fieldhouse resigned from the league due to financial issues.

It is no wonder their captain Will Halton sounded a relieved man when speaking about Saturday’s first win of 2018 against a Heywood side including England women’s bowler Kate Cross.

“To get that first win early is very important,” admitted Halton, who contributed to the five-wicket home win with 5-20 with his off-spinners and 20 at the top of the order.

“We lost the first four last season, and it cost us. We never recovered.

“It was also important given we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against Woodhouses last weekend.

“Following last year, we have to stay up. That’s the number one priority. We cannot look any further. Hopefully we can also have a decent cup run and defend the Derek Kay Trophy.”

Egerton, boosted by the inclusion of Matt Parkinson, bowled Heywood out for 132 before completing the chase with 5.2 overs remaining.

“It turned out to be quite comfortable,” said Halton.

“We were a bit disappointed with how many they got as we probably gave them 20 in the field. Then, it was comfortable knocking them off, although we lost a few more wickets than we’d like.”

Halton is definitely confident of a more fruitful campaign having strengthened this winter.

“We’ve signed Syd de Silva from Astley Bridge, who has started really well,” he explained.

“He got 50 in the first game and a few wickets, and he got 37 and three wickets on Saturday. He has been a big influence already.

“We’ve also got a new pro in Promod Maduwantha (a former Sri Lanka under 19s international).

“He’s played a bit of first-class cricket, but it’s his first season in England and he’s only 20. It will be a challenge for him, but I’m confident he’ll come through.

“He’s a batsman who bowls, but he’s struggling with a shoulder injury. Fingers crossed, he should be okay to bowl in a few weeks.”

Maduwantha is yet to post a score of note, but he has come on the recommendation of Egerton regular Amal Dalugoda.

Egerton will also hope to see a fair bit of Lancashire ace Parkinson, who claimed one wicket and hit 32 not out batting at five on Saturday.

“For league cricket and certainly us, Matt’s perfect up the order because he just sticks in and knocks it around,” added Halton.

“He did that really well and got us over the line.

“His bowling is absolutely fine. It’s just his batting and fielding that he needs to improve. If he can do, there’s no reason why he cannot play for England.”

On Saturday, Egerton face a Prestwich side buoyed by their weekend win over reigning champions Flixton.