National Cup blast off!

GRAPPENHALL blasted their way into the third round of the National Cup competition after hammering a massive 323-7 at Fordhouses, near Wolverhampton.
The Broad Lane outfit were asked to bat first in blustery conditions and lost three early wickets.
But opener Adam Roylance was batting well and, with support from the middle order, was soon pushing the score along rapidly. He eventually reached his maiden century for Grappenhall, finishing on 121.
But the fireworks were yet to come as all-rounder Gaz Burns launched an unbelievable onslaught on the home side’s bowling, hammering an unbeaten 62 from 25 balls, including his final six which disappeared off the radar.
The home side slumped to 24-5 and, although they rallied to reach 104, had no answer to Grappers’ bowling.
In the Chapel Press Cheshire County League, Grappenhall faced tougher opposition but will got the better of a draw with Neston at Broad Lane.
Batting first, Grappenhall reached 242-8, Luke McCoy hitting 49, Iain Wright 69 and Tony Hurdley 34.
Neston were never really in the hunt and finished on 182-8, Adam Roylance taking 3-26 and Sam Guest 2-38.
Grappenhall 2nd travelled to Neston to find the home side’s batsmen in dominant mood.
Andy Tetlow took 3-87 but Neston hit a formidable 275-5. When Grappenhall replied, Mike Sambell hit 43 and Brad Angel 50 but when the last wicket fell there were only 215 on the board.
Grappenhall 3rd, depleted by cup action, reduced Marple to 40-4, but then let them off the hook to reach 240-8. However, they managed to hang on for a draw – a commendable result in the circumstances.
Aussie paceman Steve Heydon tore the heart out of Mobberley’s batting as Warrington dismissed the village side for 32.
Heydon took 8-13, with only one Mobberley batsman getting into double figures. Earlier, Warrington had hit 152, recovering from being 31-4. Opener Tom Jones was fifth out for 26 and Liam Heaphy, 35 and A Martel, 33, restored respectability to the Warrington innings.
Warrington 2nd strolled to a six wicket victory over Cheadle Hulme 2nd, who were dismissed for 166, Charlie McElroy taking 4-15. Warrington finished on 167-4.
Warrington 3rd also won after reaching 217-7, Tom Corroboy 38 and Brian Boys 31 not out. They then dismissed Mellor for 165.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Appleton returned to winning ways with a fine victory over Ellesmere Port.
Appleton hit 173-7, Anthony Hurst hitting 66, Ehtisham Rashid 31 and Lee Stoll 31.
Pete Worrall took 6-18 and Danny Oliver 2-33 as Port were dismissed for 128.
Appleton 2nd fared less well, however, being dismissed for 122, Mike Arnold 28. Ellesmere Port cantered to 123-4, despite Stuart Bate taking 3-29.
Roger Cawthorne took 4-16 as Appleton 3rd dismissed Heaton Mersey Village for a meagre 68. Appleton lost just two wickets reaching their target, Emma Barlow hitting an unbeaten 31.
Appleton 4th lost out to Wilmslow Wayfarers, who batted first and reached 138. Michael Ormson took 7-37 and Peter Hesford 3-31. Andrew Thorley hit 33 when Appleton batted but the side could muster only 117.
Another great bowling performance from veteran left arm seamer John Gibbons saw Glazebury on the way to a 61-run victory over Langley.
Glazebury batted first and reached 203-7 thanks to a good, solid batting performance with Dave Acton, 37 and skipper Andrew Calvert, 36, top scoring. Gibbons then stepped in with 6-12, backed up by Sam Stanier, 2-65, to see Langley dismissed for 142.
Glazebury 2nd went down by two wickets against Haslington. Phil Knipe hit 34 and Phil McCue 26 as Glazebury reached 150. Haslington replied with 151-8, with Shaun Conroy taking 3-35 and David Nicholson 3-50.
Rylands were defeated by Wistaston Village, who batted first and hit 191. Rylands were dismissed for 149.
Rylands 2nd were held to a draw by Audlem.
Peter Hulme top scored with 55 as Rylands hit 157. Geoff Shaw hit 28 and Wesley Jenkins 24. Audlem were on 127-6 at the close, Sean Peters proving the most effective bowler with 2-24.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park lost narrowly to Barrow.
The home side reached 148-8 and then dismissed Lymm for 136.
Stretton reached a highly respectable 195-9 against Over People but could not prise out their opponents’ tail, with Over Peover finishing on 166-8.
Stretton 2nd toiled against a powerful Ashton-on-Mersey side which was able to declare on 254-7. John Fleetwood took 4-53. Stretton replied with 197-6, Fleetwood again starring with 54 and Anthony Hughes hitting 44.