FIVE wins from five games have put Grappenhall at the top of the Chapel Press Cheshire County League division one – and already people are daring to wonder if the Broad Lane outfit could win promotion to the Premier division.
Grappers handed out a seven wicket hiding to Christleton to earn their fifth victory with skipper Steve Titchard taking 3-14 and Luke McCoy 3-9.
Christleton could only muster 79 and although the home side lost three wickets reaching their target, the result was never in doubt.
James McCoy hit 18, Ian Wright 17 not out, Alan Roylance 16 not out and Richard Green 13.
Surely after such a start to the season, a side containing two former Lancashire players as well as a wealth of other talent can reach the top flight of Cheshire cricket?
Grappenhall 2nd underlined the club’s strength in depth with a fine win over local rivals Warrington 2nd.
Warrington were held to 184-7, with Matt Titchard taking 5-53. Grappenhall replied with 188-4, Will Sharp hitting 46 and Mike Sambell following up his century of the previous week with 87 not out.
And Grappenhall 3rd defeated Upton by 67 runs. Mark Tyerman slammed an unbeaten 119 and Jack Critchley 49 as Grappenhall hit 194-5. Upton subsided to 127, Neil Muttock taking 3-22 and Ashley Scholes 3-25.
Warrington earned a draw against Stockport Georgians who batted first and reached 238-9. Pick of the Warrington bowlers were Steve Heydon, 3-77, Ryan Swart 3-36 and Brendan Morris 2-36.
In reply, Warrington hit 211-8, skipper Liam Heaphy hit 52, Brendan Morris 51 and Malcolm Agar 30.
Warrington 5th beat Cheadle by three wickets. Cheadle batted first and reached 164-9 and then Aaron Chaderton, 30 not out and Charley Loy, 45 not out, steered Warrington to victory.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Stretton lost out by nine runs after Woodford had amassed a formidable 234-5. Ben Clissold finished on 99 not out after running out of partners as Stretton replied with 225.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Appleton went down by five wickets against Hartford.
Opener Anthony Hurst top scored with 49 in Appleton’s modest 102 and Hartford cantered to 106-5
Appleton 2nd hit 225-1, with Mike Arnold hammering 114 not out and Steve Reece 53 as Ellesmere Port’s bowlers toiled all afternoon. But Appleton could not capitalise on such a good start as the opposing batsmen replied with 201-8 to draw the game.
Appleton 3rd had Stalybridge St Paul’s struggling on 60-6 but then saw the lower order restore the damage and take the side to a respectable 182-8.
In reply, Appleton could only reach 167-5, Stuart MacGregor hitting 37 and James Darbyshire 57.
Appleton 4th were dismissed for 137, of which Stuart McIntosh scored 48 and Pete Ryan 27 when they took on Wilmslow who claimed victory with 138-4, despite Ben Swannell taking 4-10.
Glazebury crushed Offerton by 107 runs.
Batting first they reached 199-4, veteran Simon Green top scoring with a well-struck 68, Callum Morgan hitting 35 not out and skipper Wayne Hargreaves hitting 27.
Offerton were dismissed for 92, Sam Stanier taking 5-4 in a hostile spell of seven overs, including four maidens. Christopher Ayre took 3-38.
Glazebury 2nd were also on form with a four wicket win over Rostherne.
The home side were restricted to 137-8, with David Nicholson taking 4-48 and Mark Rowan 1-22. Glazebury cantered to 138-6, John Acton hitting 39, Paul Warburst 24 and Gary Dunlop 23.
Rylands 2nd enjoyed a three wicket victory over Mossley, who were dismissed for 171, Bond Bateson taking 5-44 and Kenny Jarvis 2-45. Rylands replied with 172-7, Sean Peters hitting 52, Geoff Shaw 39 not out and Wesley Jenkins 23.
Women’s Cricket
Appleton earned a seven wicket victory over Bowdon in the Cheshire Women’s League.
Bowdon were dismissed for 116, with Ellie Barnett taking 3-9.
Emma Barlow hit 62 as Appleton replied with 117-3.
