GRAPPENHALL’S two ex-Lancashire stars, skipper Steve Titchard and opener Richard Green showed their class to earn a seven wicket victory over Cheadle in the Chapel Press Cheshire County League.
Cheadle elected to bat first on a Broad Lane wicket that was offering a bit to the bowler and were restricted to 162-9 from 53 overs. Ian Hall took 3-20 in 14 tight, consecutive overs and James Taylor 4-38 while Titchard chipped in with 2-19.
It was a much improved performance in the field by Grappenhall and stand-in wicket keeper Ian Wright did a fine job with the gloves.
Grappenhall’s innings got off to a bad start, with three wickets down for 18 runs.
But then Green, 84 not out and Titchard, 71 not out put together an unbroken partnership of 148 to take the home side to a seven wicket win.
It was a fine example of reading the match situation and playing accordingly and the win should give Grappenhall confidence for the final two matches of the season.
A depleted Grappenhall 2nd batted first at Cheadle and were dismissed for a modest 102. Matt Titchard was the highest scorer with 26 and Les Connolly contributed a battling 215.
Cheadle cantered to victory with 106-4, but it was a dream 2nd XI debut for Ashley Scholes who took all four wickets for 13 runs.
Grappenhall 3rd needed just eight points from their last game of the season at Timperley to secure promotion – and in fact secured a fine victory with the maximum 25 points.
The home side chose to bat first and were soon in trouble against fast, accurate bowling from Jack Critchley, 3-18 and Neil Muttock, 2-35. Chris France took over and bagged 4-19 with youngster Sam Hartford picking up the remaining wicket for 16 runs.
With the weather closing in, Grappenhall needed quick runs, Neil Muttock, 54 not out and Chris France who took on the bowlers and batting superbly almost reached the required total. Chris France, 41, took on the bowler and Grappenhall reached 114-4 in 22 overs.
Warrington managed to hang on for a draw against Poynton.
Poynton batted first and reached 181-8 declared and Warrington’s last pair were at the wicket with the score on 165-9 at the close.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Stretton 2nd had an exciting one run victory over Northwich at Stretton.
Batting first, Stretton were dismissed for a modest 117.Then Northwich were bowled out for 116.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Appleton amassed 224-7 at Knutsford. But they could not bowl the home side out and Knutsford ended on 154-7.
Rylands entertained Langley and totalled 155, Sean Malone hitting 26, Ian Mason 36 and Eddie Platt 25. Langley had no trouble in reaching 156 for the loss of four wickets.
Glazebury coasted to a seven wicket victory over Frodsham at Hurst Lane. Frodsham were dismissed for 84, Saj Sadiq tearing through the battling line-up with 8-36 and Kyle Keeble taking 2-14. Glazebury coasted to 86-3, opener Jon Gibbons top scoring with 49.
Glazebury 2nd were denied victory in their “derby” game with Appleton at Lyons Lane.
Batting first, Glazebury hit 128, Andy Calvert 30 and Phil McCue 32. Appleton were hanging on at 85-9 at the close after Paul Charlton had taken 4-21 and Jason Butterworth 3-10.
Appleton 4th suffered a mauling at the hands of Wilmslow Wayfarers who dismissed them for 53 and then hit off the runs for the loss of one wicket.
Women’s Cricket
APPLETON Tigers won the Cheshire Women’s Cricket League Twenty20 Plate competition for the second year in succession.
They defeated Romiley and Dinting by 18 runs in the finals at Alvanley Cricket Club.
Amy Page hit a blistering 25 retired in the early overs – the score was only 39 when she departed – and another retirement from Anni Rashid – her fourth in this competition this year – kept the board moving. But Appleton’s scoring was checked slightly in the closing overs to restrict them to 84-6.
Appleton were soon taking regular wickets in reply, dismissing a number of batsmen cheaply who could have provided the necessary runs for Romiley.
Jen Regan completed a magnificent spell of 4-10.
Romiley fought to the last, but their victory hopes were snuffed out by Rashid who conceded only six runs in four overs bowled at the death leaving them on 66-7.
In the final of the Cup competition, Poynton Fire emerged triumphant over previous holders Chester Boughton Hall Deemons in a rain affected game.
