GRAPPENHALL came away with a fine victory at Cheadle in the Chapel Press Cheshire County League after the most unpromising of starts.
The home side made 223-8 – a total which should have been much less but for some dropped catches
Then Grappenhall struggled to 81-5, with skipper Steve Titchard back in the pavilion for 30.
But Liam Parkinson, 36 and then Cameron Park, 64 not out began to repair the damage and fast bowler Garry Burns – who had earlier taken 2-34 – hit a superb 39 not out to steer the team home.
The win keeps Grappenhall in touch with the leaders, moving them two places up the table.
Grappenhall progressed to the fourth round of the cup competition with a four wicket win over Heaton Mersey at Broad Lane.
The visitors elected to bat first and reached 171 all out in 45 overs. Cameron Park took 2-28 and new slow bowler James Taylor making a promising start with 2-40.
Grappenhall were struggling at 22-3, then a partnership of 75 between Steve Titchard, 36 and Will Sharp, 40 steadied the ship. After they were both out, it was once more left to Liam Parkinson, 35 not out and Park, 28 not out to finish the job, the winning runs coming in the 39th over.
Grappenhall now meet Elworth away in the next round on June 28.
Grappenhall 3rd lost three quick wickets for 20 runs when they travelled to Urmston but a good partnership between Tom Roberts, 61 and Bradley Angel, 26 steadied the ship and a blistering 28 from Steve Guest took the total to 173.
The home side had 47 overs to reach their target, but thanks to a sublime opening spell from Jack Critchley, swinging the ball all over the place, they Critchley was ably supported by Ash Higman and Urmston never looked like getting near their target.
Debutant off spinner, Albert Pennington, aged 12 bowled like a dream and gave the batsman no chance of run scoring. He finished with remarkable figures of eight overs for only 10 runs. Critchley took 3-49 off 19 overs, eight of which were maidens and the game ended in a draw with Urmston on 114-8.
Warrington totalled 199-6 against Poynton, James Hughes top-scoring with 70 and getting support from Richard Heaney and Chris Kirby, who both hit 31. But Poynton put Warrington’s bowlers to the sword, hammering 200-1.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Appleton coasted to a five wicket victory over Knutsford at Lyons Lane.
Duane Jones took 6-14 and Ed Sygrove 2-13 to dismiss the visitors for 81. Appleton replied with 85-5.
The “derby” game between Appleton 2nd and Glazebury 2nd ended in a draw with Glazebury hanging on at the end.
Appleton batted first and reached a formidable 230, Tom Shard hitting 84. Chris Ayre took 3-56, Julian May 5-62 and Sean Caine 2-37. Glazebury replied with 171-9, Andrew Calvert top scoring with 48.
In another local “derby”, Appleton 3rd defeated Rylands 2nd by three wickets.
Rylands were dismissed for 177, Geoff Shaw 53 and Sean Peters 37. Paul Grumley took 5-14 and Stuart Bate 3-31.
Appleton 4th went down by 10 wickets at Wilmslow Wayfarers.
Glazebury went down by 64 runs at Frodsham where the home side batted first and scored 189. Dave Acton took 4-68 and Chris Lord 4-21.
Glazebury were dismissed for 125, despite being given a good start by openers Jon Gibbons, 25 and Ian McCue, 35.
Rylands amassed 232-5 against Langley but could not force a victory. Richard Buck hit 87 and Eddie Platt 59.
Langley replied with 182-6, with Sean Malone, 2-41 and Adam Peters, 2-46, being most effective with the ball.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Stretton 2nd were dismissed for 114 by Northwich who went on to win with 115-1.
Women’s cricket
WARRINGTON are now 22 points clear at the top of the ECB Women’s Premier League North after a comfortable victory in the top-of-the-table clash with Nottinghamshire side Ransome and Marles.
Batting first, Warrington hit 163-9 – but only after recovering from a disastrous start which left them reeling at 66-7. Lauren Griffiths hit 31 but it was an eighth wicket stand between Sarah McCann, 27 and Natalie Heap, 33, which brought about the recovery.
Ransome were tumbled out for 94, with Lorna Thomas taking 4-10, Kate Harvey 2-24 and Natalie Heap 2-16.
In the Cheshire League, Appleton defeated Bowdon with in-form skipper Emma Barlow hitting 76 out of 137. Bowdon were dismissed for 82.
In the Cheshire League Twenty20 competition, Appleton defeated New Brighton. Emma Barlow, Anni Rashick and Natalie Lyons all retired after passing 25.
New Brighton could only muster 54-9 in reply, Jess Lewis taking 4-10, Amy Page 3-5 and Natalie Long 2-5.
