GRAPPENHALL cricket club secured promotion back to the ECB Premier Division of the Cheshire County League after winning away at relegation candidates Irby in the penultimate match of the season.
Needing just 5 points to gaurantee promotion back to the highest level they can play at after suffering relegation last season, Grappenhall won the toss and elected to bat first looking to get as many batting points as possible.
The first wicket put on 43 before Jimmy McCoy was out for a decent 20 and his opening partner Mike Sambells followed shortly for a solid 24. Grappenhall lost a further two quick wickets and at 66 for 4 on a spinning track the prospect of a decent total looked a bit bleak. A partnership of 47 between Jason Smith and Iain Wright took the score to 113 before Iain departed for 16 and Jason went for another fine contribution of 33, the score then been 121 for 6. Thereafter the only significant contribution was 17 from the skipper, and Grappenhall were bowled out for 150 in the 47th over. Would it be enough?
Irby in reply got off to a shaky start with Jason taking the first wicket, quickly followed by Sam Guest taking two in a fine spell of nine overs for just 19 runs. 26 for 3. The next wicket fell with the score at 73 to Matt Titchard, who bowled an admirable spell of 13 overs, 5 maidens, 1 wicket for only 14 runs, and really kept a lid on matters from one end.
Thereafter wickets fell regularly as Irby desperately chased the target, with the honours at the end going to Adam Roylance who in his second spell took three wickets in 1.3 overs to finish with 3 for 20. Earlier Gaz Burns took one, and Jason who had returned for his second spell finished up with 3 for 26, and Irby were all out for 125, and thus relegated to the 2nd Division.
This win sees Grappenhall promoted to the Premiership along with Bowdon, and doubtless through the winter there will be moves afoot to strengthen the squad, as the level of intensity in the Premiership is significantly higher then that of the 1st Division.
Grappenhall complete their at home to Oulton Park in the final match of the season this Saturday.
GRAPPENHALL cricket club secured promotion back to the ECB Premier
Division of the Cheshire County League after winning away at relegation
candidates Irby in the penultimate match of the season.
Grappers win promotion
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
