Title chasers beat the weather

ANOTHER weekend of cancelled cricket matches due to the weather – but many clubs managed to dodge the showers, including title chasing Grappenhall in the Chapel Press Cheshire County League.
A water pump and some hard pre-match work by the players enabled the game at Broad Lane to go ahead on a reduced overs basis and skipper Liam Parkinson asked visitors Irby to bat first.
Steve Titchard and Sam Guest each picked up an early wicket but then Irby got their act together and eventually posted a decent total of 172-4 in 39 overs.
Grappers need to get runs on the board quickly and as a result lost opener Gaz Burns for six, with other wickets falling for below par scores.
It was left to Aussie Jason Smith to once again dominate proceedings as he finished with an excellent 71 not out, ably supported by Parkinson with 25 not out to take Grappers over the finishing line with seven overs to spare for the loss of six wickets.
The win kept the Broad Lane side top of the division one table.
Grappenhall 2nd kept their own title aspirations alive with a two wicket victory at Cheadle, after dismissing the home side for 157. Luke Williams, 4-60 was the pick of the bowlers.
Grappers got off to a bad start when they batted, but an aggressive 79 from skipper Mike Holden, plus 34 from Rob Slater took them to 158-8.
Warrington snatched an unlikely victory after being dismissed for 96 by Alvanley, whose Rob Fisher, 5-24 and Chris Charles, 3-29 caused the batsmen considerable problems. Only opener Malcolm Agar, 38, offered much resistance.
But Alvanley then collapsed to 57 all out, Kyle Adams taking 7-13 and Matt Adams 2-21.
Warrington 2nd won by five wickets against visiting Upton, who were held to 180-8, Wesley Charlton taking 3-45.
Warrington’s reply of 181-5 included useful innings from Aaran Chaderton, 72 not out, Tom Corroboy, 35 and Jan Derek Stoker, 37 not out.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Stretton went down by seven wickets against The Groves.
Stretton were dismissed for 93, J Mir 35 and the Wirral side replied with 97-3.
Glazebury hung on for a draw at Over People where the home side batted first and reached 156. Skipper Andy Calvert took 4-48 and Jon Gibbons 2-14.
Glazebury were clinging on at 93-9 at the close, Dave Acton top scoring with 37.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Appleton found form at last with a 47-run victory over Wistaston Village at Lyons Lane.
Appleton batted first and reached 186-8 thanks to solid batting from Tom Lomas, 34, Dave Lomas 32 and Chris Grumley, 30.
Ed Pugh took 4-23 and Danny Oliver 2-42 as the visitors were bowled out for 139.
Appleton 2nd also won, away at Eastham and Bromborough Pool, where they batted first and totalled 146 before dismissing the home side for 77.
Appleton 3rd earned a draw against Wilmslow Wayfarers who batted first and reached 196-3. Dave Hurst hit an unbeaten 67 as Appleton replied with 109-6.
Rylands went down by 48 runs against Chester Asians who batted first and were dismissed for 133, Sujith Nair taking 6-64. Rylands were bowled out for 85, of which Alan Brady scored 29.