GRAPPENHALL skipper Steve Titchard played his first game of the season, returning from injury and picking up two wickets as the side got the better of a drawn game at Urmston in the Chapel Press Cheshire County League.
Batting first, Grappenhall got off to a bad start with opener James McCoy run out when looking in good form, Two more quick wickets fell leaving the side struggling on 24-3.
But a fine 52 from Iain Wright and a classy 33 from Andy Tetlow enabled them to declare on 185-8.
Urmston had to fight for runs against good bowling with Gaz Burns taking 2-27, Titchard 2-42 and Adam Roylance 2-23.
Grappenhall 2nd enjoyed a 91-run victory over Cheadle Hulme at Broad Lane.
Batting first, they declared on 198-8, Jack Critchley hitting an unbeaten 58 and Rob Slater 37. Cheadle were dismissed for 107, Neil Titchard taking 3-21, Tom Evans 3-38 and Sam Baxter 3-16.
Grappenhall 3rd suffered a 10-wicket mauling at the hands of Didsbury after dismissed for 80 with only three batsmen struggling into double figures.
Warrington enjoyed a four wicket victory over Bredbury St Marks, largely due to a superb bowling performance by Aussie paceman Steve Heydon who bagged 9-41 as Bredbury were dismissed for 109.
James Hughes hit an unbeaten 45 as Warrington replied with 111-6.
Warrington 5th hit a respectable 182-6 at Neston, James Lewis top scoring with 81 not out.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Glazebury ended a run of disappointing defeats with a fully earned draw at Old Parkonians.
The home side batted first and hit an incredible 278-6 declared in just 35 overs. Sam Stanier took 3-80 and skipper Andy Calvert 3-68 as the Glazebury bowlers suffered a mauling.
In reply, Glazebury got off to a terrible start but recovered from 36-3 to reach 211-9 at the close. Calvert hit a determined 50, Wayne Hargreaves 39 and Dave Mason 29 to repair the damage. Even so, Glazebury’s last pair had to survive three overs to save the match.
Glazebury 2nd lost at home to Eastham after the Wirral side batted first and hit 177-9 declared. David Nicholson took 3-12, Matthew Shailer 2-17 and the evergreen Stewart Caller 2-47. But Glazebury’s batsmen could not meet the challenge and despite a gritty 55 from wicket keeper Paul Warhurst and 31 from opener Phil McCue they were all out for 141.
Appleton’s dismal season continued with a two wicket defeat at Stalybridge St Paul’s.
Batting first, Appleton were dismissed for 165, opener Richard Clarke top scoring with 65 and Lee Stoll contributing 25.
Ed Sygrove bowled superbly to take 6-41 as Stalybridge found runs hard to get but in the end the home side inches to victory at 166-8.
Appleton 2nd also went down entertaining Knutsford who batted first and reached a modest 116. Michael Cumberland took 4-16 and Chris Tomlinson 3-33. Appleton were tumbled out for 65 with only two batsmen reaching double figures.
Rylands 2nd routed Capenhurst at home, batting first and reaching 168 thanks to a superb 103 from Alan Brady. Capenhurst were never in the hunt and were back in the pavilion for 84, Richard Buck taking 6-10.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park got the better of a drawn game with Woodford. Lymm were able to declared on 203-9 and Woodford were 163-8 at the close.
But Lymm progressed to the semi-finals of the league Twenty20 competition with a fine win over Ashton-on-Mersey. Lymm hit a daunting 204-4 and Ashton could only reach 130-5 in reply.
Stretton went down at Pott Shrigley, mustering only 141 after the home side had declared on 168-7. Stretton 2nd earned a draw with Hale Barns after the visitors had hit 213-5. Stretton were 131-9 at the finish.
Women’s cricket
Appleton completed the league double over Oakmere, a result which may have ended Oakmere’s hopes of the title and which took Appleton to the top of the tree.
The Warrington side were facing a stiff chase of almost five per over after Oakmere had reached 163-2 in an innings reduced to 34 overs by rain.
Hayley Agnew hit 71 and Helen Smith 43 for Oakmere. But Appleton have quite simply the most reliable run getter in the league in captain Emma Barlow, and it was her 98 not out that took her side to a six-wicket win with only one ball to spare. Oakmere’s scores against Appleton this year have been 171 and 163, which are the two highest scores by a losing side all year.
Appleton now travel to Chester Boughton Hall in a huge match in the next round of matches on July 24.
