Title chasers held to draw

GRAPPENHALL’S drive for promotion to the Chapel Press Cheshire County League premier division faltered slightly when they were held to a draw by Cheadle Hulme at Broad Lane.
With skipper Steve Titchard out of action through injury, Richard Green took the reins and celebrated with his first century of the season – a fine, unbeaten 120.
In form batsman James McCoy, who had hit a century midweek for Cheshire against Yorkshire, set about the Cheadle bowling and took Grappenhall to 70 in 10 overs before falling for 38. But then some tight bowling and indifferent batting meant the run rate slowed. Green and Gary Burns, 45, restored the momentum, however and the home side finished on a formidable 237.
Sam Guest, playing in only his second first team game of the season made a great start by taking two early wickets to seize the upper hand for Grappenhall but although the bowlers toiled to the end, picking up six wickets, the visitors batted out the last 15 overs for a draw.
Grappenhall 2nd travelled to Cheadle Hulme where skipper Mike Holden won the toss and elected to field.
The home side made a good start and early wickets were hard to come by. But things began to turn Grappenhall’s way when Harry Worley took 3-21 and Sam Baxter 2-59. Cheadle finished on 206-8.
Grappers suffered an early setback when the in form Mike Sambell fell cheaply, but
Grappenhall’s response was hindered by the early loss of Mike Sambell (7), however Ian Barnes, 95 and Holden, 51 not out, got to grips with the bowling and earned Grappenhall a six wicket victory.
On Sunday Grappenhall 2nd travelled to Didsbury in the 2nd round of the cup but were unable to match the home side’s 256 in 45 overs. At 49-1 from 11 overs they looked well placed, but wickets began to fall and they were eventually all out for 121.
Grappenhall 3rd were held to a draw by Nantwich at Broad Lane after posting 215-7. Neil Muttock hit 94 and Mike Moss 56. Nantwich replied with 151-7, with Jamie Edginton, 4-16 and Ashley Scholes, 2-18, the pick of the Grappenhall bowlers.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park reached 183-9 after being put in at Oughtrington Lane. Winsford took the match with a comfortable 184-6.
Stretton went down at home to Disley, who batted first and hit 219-5, Paul Critchley taking 2-45. Stretton were dismissed for 127, with Ben Clissold top scoring with 33 and Paul Flanaghan hitting 25.
Stretton 3rd were set a hefty target of 272 by New Brighton and, although they batted well, could only reach 240 in reply.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Glazebury continued their title challenge with a comfortable victory at Audlem.
Batting first, they hit a modest 137 – something of a recovery after being 49-6. Andy Calvert hit 27, Kyle Keeble 22 not out and Chris Ayre 20.
The home side were tumbled out for 71, Saj Sadiq taking 5-8 in eight overs including a hat-trick, Sam Stanier taking 2-22 and Calvert 2-18.
Glazebury 2nd were unable to force a win at home to Eastham and Bromborough Pool – despite a superb 108 from Devesh Shete. Andy Durrington gave good support with 30 as Glazebury reached 237-5.
But the visitors held out for 170-7. Michael Nutkins took 2-33.
Appleton’s batting frailties were exposed when they took on Frodsham. Openers Dave and Ant Hurst gave them a steady start but Dave fell when the score was 86 and although Ant went on to top score with 74, Appleton could only reach 147-7.
Ed Sygrove and Lee Stoll picked up three wickets each as Frodsham replied, but the home side reached their target with eight balls to spare.
Appleton 2nd hit 197 when they entertained Styal at Lyons Lane, Steve Reece hitting 53, Mike Arnold 35 and Eitchy Rashid 48. Veteran seamer Duane Jones took 4-69 and Danny Oliver 4-67 as style were dismissed for 192 in a tense finish.
Rylands 2nd won by three wickets when they entertained Wilmslow, who batted first and were dismissed for 147. Ben Sheild took 3-38 and Bond Bateson 3-34. Sean Peters hit 32 and Bateson 25 not out as Rylands coasted to 148-7.