A CRUCIAL win over fellow title-chasers Upton took Warrington to the top of the Chapel Press Cheshire County League division two – seven points clear of their nearest rivals.
Warrington have found their form at just the right time and if they can continue in the same vein they must fancy their chances of bouncing straight back up to division one, following their disappointing relegation last summer.
Upton batted first and were tumbled out for 79 with all Warrington’s bowlers sharing the honours. Steve Heydon took 2-19, Matt Adams 2-33, Drew Martel 3-6 and Simon Hewit 2-13.
Chasing such a modest target, opener Malcolm Agar hit an unbeaten 41 as Warrington replied with 81-2..
The result pushed them to the top of the table, 16 points ahead of Upton and seven points above second placed Bredbury St Marks.
Grappenhall recorded an emphatic victory over fellow-strugglers Oulton Park in the Premier division.
The result meant the two clubs exchanged places at the bottom of the table, although Grappenhall are still 20 points behind third-from-bottom Alderley Edge.
After winning the toss, skipper Guy Emmett gave the visitors first use of the wicket and quickly got his reward.
Oulton Park were dismissed for 119, with Gaz Burns taking 5-20 and Steve Titchard 2-9.
Grappenhall had few problems when they were batted, with Richard Green hitting 23, Adam Roylance 38 not out and Ian Barnes 49 not out.
Grappenhall 2nd inflicted a heavy defeat over Oulton Park 2nd. The home side batted first and were dismissed for 120. Brothers James and Luke McCoy opened for Grappers and raced to 122-0 in just 15 overs. James achieved the remarkable score of 100 not out from the total of 122 while Luke ended on 21 not out.
Grappenhall 2nd were in action again in the semi-final of the cup and progressed to their first final in five years with a six wicket victory over Hyde.
Hyde recovered from a poor start to reach 217 but on a small ground, Grappenhall coasted to the target, Will Sharp hitting 60 and Mike Holden 70 not out.
Grappenhall 3rd made it four wins out of four over the weekend by defeating Hyde by five wickets.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Glazebury kept in touch with the division one leaders with a good win at fellow title contenders Wistaston Village.
The home side batted first and were dismissed for 128 after a good, all-round performance by the Glazebury bowlers. Sam Stanier took 3-30, Saj Sadiq 3-24 and Jon Gibbons 3-26.
Glazebury’s reply start shakily, with four batsmen back in the pavilion for 24.
Then skipper Andrew Calvert, 41, and the experienced Simon Green came together in a stand of 70. After Calvert left, two wickets fell in rapid succession to leave the visitors in trouble again but Green – hammering two fours and three sixes in his innings – carried on to finish on 52 not out and Glazebury ran out victors on 134-7.
Glazebury 2nd used seven bowlers against Langley, who hit 160-6 and then dismissed the home side for 106, only skipper Chris Lord, 35 not out, offering much resistance.
Appleton suffered a humiliating defeat in the local derby game with Rylands, being rolled-over for 54. Rylands strolled to 55-2.
The Appleton 2nd game at Frodsham ended in a draw after the visitors declared on 210-4. Mike Arnold hit 38, Dave Hurst 80 and Tom Shard 46. The home side made little attempt to go for the runs and batted out the game at 165-4. Philip Jackson took 2-29.
Women’s cricket
APPLETON are on course to retain their Cheshire Women’s League title – but despite a fine win over Hyde must wait another week because the results elsewhere.
Hyde were dismissed for 53 and are now consigned to relegation. Anni Rashid took 4-5 in seven overs, Holly McCurrie 2-3 and Lauren O’Reilly 2-6.
Appleton coasted to victory with Emma Barlow hitting 28 and Jenna Mape 21 not out.
