GRAPPENHALL’S rich vein of form came to an end with a disappointing draw against Timperley – a game the Broad Lane crew should have won if they are to maintain their promotion challenge in the Chapel Press Cheshire County League first division.
Timperley were asked to bat first on an excellent wicket and for the first 30 overs, Grappenhall were well in control. But things changed dramatically in the space of 10 wayward overs and Timperley were able to declare on 201-4.
Grappenhall were soon in trouble against an accurate seam attack and at 36-2 were struggling. But Ian Hall, 81 with good support from skipper Steve Titchard, 33, took the total to 140 before a flurry of wickets left them hanging on grimly at 180 with the last pair at the wicket.
It was Grappenhall’s worst batting display for weeks and the game also highlighted work that needs to be done in the bowling department.
Grappenhall 2nd amassed 257-7 at Timperley, with Ian Wright hitting 123 and Ian Jackson 70 and this should have been enough to ensure victory.
But the home side – after a brief flurry of sixes over the pavilion – lost wickets and opted to play for a draw. But although Grappenhall bowled tightly they could not make a significant break through and Timperley ended on 167-6 from 54 overs, Mark Roylance taking 3-46.
Grappers earned 15 points from the draw.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park took a mauling at the hands of Stockport, who batted first and reached 158-6. Lymm were tumbled out for 99.
Stretton were held to an exciting draw by Chester County Officers, with the scores level at the close.
Batting first, Stretton declared on 188-8. CCO went for the runs and had wickets in hand but after a nail-biting final over finished on 188-5.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Appleton clung on for a draw at Woodford after the home side had totalled 188, Tom Lucas taking 4-35 and James Darbyshire 2-27.
Appleton replied with a disappointing 97-9, Lomas top scoring with 27.
Appleton 4 were dismissed for a meagre 40 after Woodford had declared on 178-8.
Glazebury registered a good win at Mossley after batting first and putting 183-9 on the board. Opener Jon Gibbons hit 54, Saj Sadiq 29 and Callum Morgan 27.
The home side were dismissed for 90 with Dave Acton taking 4-19 and Kyle Keeble 2-9.
At Hurst Lane, Glazebury 2nd won by eight wickets after dismissing Offerton for 152, Sean Caine taking 5-19 and Wayne Hargreaves 2-17,
Hargreaves was in form with the bat also when Glazebury replied, hitting an unbeaten 61 as Glazebury coasted to 153-2. Andy Calvert hit 41.
Rylands were held to a draw by Knutsford. After Rylands had hit 210-6, Knutsford replied with 178-8.
Women’s cricket
WARRINGTON ended their season with a defeat and had to settle for second place in the ECB Women’s Premier League North.
Nottinghamshire side Ransome and Marles, boasting England and Australian internationals in their line up, hit a massive 290-5. Kate Skelhorn was the pick of the bowlers with 2-41.
Warrington’s reply started well and at 120-2 from 24 overs there were hopes of a thrilling run chase. But after Hannah Gradwell, 54 and Lauren Griffiths, 32, fell there was little more resistance and Warrington were all out for 140.
Most of Warrington’s side will now switch to playing for Cheshire for the rest of the summer, including one game at Walton Lea.
In the Cheshire Women’s league Twenty20 competition, Appleton lost narrowly to Oakmere – the first time they have been beaten in four games between the two sides this summer.
Oakmere batted first and reached 90-3. Appleton’s Emma Barlow and Anni Rashid both hit 25 but they got little support and the side ended on 82-6.
