RAIN robbed Grappenhall of any chance of victory in the Cheshire County League game at Alderley Edge.
The match was abandoned with Grappenhall on 114-3 – still requiring 112 with 19 overs remaining.
The game had some very positive features for Grappenhall, however – not least a half century for opener James McCoy returning after being put in hospital the previous week after suffering a broken nose when hit by a short-pitched delivery.
Alderley Edge batted first and declared on 225-7. Sam Guest, 2-36 and Adam Roylance, 2-28 were the pick of the bowlers.
Some poor out-cricket contributed to the home side’s total and Grappenhall also suffered from the fact that skipper and opening bowler Guy Emmett was carrying an injury.
Even so, James McCoy’s 57 and an unbeaten 43 from his brother, Luke, meant they were in with a very good chance until the weather closed in.
The following day, Grappenhall progressed to the regional final of the National Cup with an exciting six run victory over Lullington Park, Derbyshire.
James McCoy was again in the runs, hitting 41 as Grappenhall scored 189-8. Richard Green hit 49 and Adam Roylance 42.
Lullington’s last man was run out as they struggled desperately to overhaul Grappers. Luke McCoy took 4-38, Guy Emmett 2-8 and Andy Tetlow 2-27.
Grappenhall 2nd chalked up a massive 140-run victory over Widnes 2nd – with former Widnes lad Tom Evans taking 5-30.
Earlier, Grappenhall had declared on 238-4, Paul Radage 62, Ian Barnes, 50, Mike Sambell 55 not out and Sam Baxter 33 not out.
Widnes were tumbled out for 98, with Baxter taking 2-6 to support Evans’ “fifer”
Grappenhall 3rd were held to a draw by Bramhall.
Batting first, Grappenhall declared on 210-8, Jack Critchley 67. Bramhall replied with 204-9.
Warrington earned a draw at Brooklands where the home side batted first and reached 245-5. Drew Martel took 3-65 and Robert Batey 2-96. Warrington were 195-5 at the close, James Hughes hitting a fine 90 and Martel an unbeaten 51.
Warrington 2nd went down by eight wickets at home to Brooklands.
Batting first, Warrington hit 184-4, Steve Roberts 38, David Baxter 42 not out and Ryan Swart 36. Warrington used eight bowlers in a bid to stem the flow of runs when Brooklands batted, but the visitors coasted to 188-2 – both wickets being run-outs!
Warrington 3rd hung on for a draw at Timperley where the home side hit 169, Tom Corroboy 5-46 and Mike Mathers 3-26. Warrington were 154-9 at the close, Jan Derek Stoker hitting 53 and Jordan Mitchell 41.
Warrington 4th also took on Timperley at Walton Lea and the visitors hit 160-7, Mansoor Naseem taking 4-35. Warrington were 149-9 at the close, Aaron Chaderton, 34 and Derek Bate, 36, being the top scorers.
Cheshire Alliance leaders Glazebury came unstuck for the second week running when they went down by four wickets at Stalybridge St Pauls.
Batting first, they were dismissed for 146, Wayne Hargreaves 32 and Dave Acton, 41.
Sam Stanier, 2-20 and Dave Acton, 3-40 bowled well, but St Pauls reached their target with four wickets remaining.
Glazebury 2nd were dismissed for 121 at Knutsford, Paul Warhurst top scoring with 23. Knutsford replied with 124-2.
Rylands were tumbled out for 84 at Wirral, where the home side hit off the necessary runs for the loss of three wickets in 17.4 overs. Rylands 2nd were also beaten by Wirral, hitting 112 in reply to the visitors 185-9 declared.
Appleton’s run of poor form continued when they were dismissed for 128 by Wistaston. Antony Hurst, 41 and Rick Clarke, 38, put on 79 for the first wicket but there was then a collapse with only Lee Stoll, 22, showing any form with the bat.
Chris McClellan took three wickets but Wistaston won by one wicket with six balls to spare.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park 2nd snatched a three wicket win against Ashton-on-Mersey.
Chris Oakes took 3-20 as Ashton struggled to 98-8. Lymm replied with 100-7.
Women’s cricket
In the Cheshire Women’s Cricket League Twenty20 competition, Appleton defeat Hawarden Park by eight wickets.
Park batted first and were restricted to 58-8. Appleton reached their target in 13.4 overs.
