Grappers move up to third place

GRAPPENHALL claimed an important victory at early pace-setters Alderley Edge to move into third place in the Vivio Cheshire County League premier division.
In doing so they leap-frogged their opponents who had previously been second in the table.
The home side batted first and lost early wickets, and were at one time 107-8. But the tail wagged and Alderley Edge finally posted a respectable 175. Josh McClelland took 3-35, Sam Guest 2-54 and Gaz Burns 2-49.
Grappenhall’s reply was built around fine innings from skipper Richard Green, 64 not out and James McCoy, 45. They reached their target with three wickets to spare.
The 2nd XI game at Broad Lane ended in a draw after Alderley Edge batted first and reached 281-7. It was a score that flattered the visitors as there was some loose bowling and fielding, but Stanley Pennington took 3-34.
Rain shortened the game and gave Grappenhall no realistic chance of victory but Tom Hulme, 51 and Matt Titchard, 31 not out, batted well and at the close Grappers were on 166-8.
Grappenhall 3rd had a good win over Toft, batting first and hammering 233-6. Rob Slater top scored with 96, Ben Bodha 55 not out and Matt Brown 31. Toft were dismissed for 172, Josh Hayes taking 4-25.
Warrington managed to hang on for a draw against s strong Stockport side at Walton Lea.
The visitors batted first and reach 198-5, despite some good bowling from Kyle Adams, 3-74. Warrington were 176-8 at the close, with the pick of the batsmen James Rudd, 58 and Andy Kirby, 39.
Warrington 2nd suffered a heavy defeat against Stockport who batted first and declared on 235-2 – Ryan Swart taking both wickets for 49 runs. Warrington were bowled out for 164, Ian Sleigh, 34 and Simon Hewitt, 30 top scoring.
Travelling to Macclesfield, Warrington 3rd posted 182-7, Tim Rothwell hitting an unbeaten 82. But it was not enough as the home side reached 184-6, Ben McCarthy taking 4-56.
Warrington 5th could only reach 107-3 in a close-fought battle at Wistaston Village, Tim Rothwell, 34 and Brian Boys, 29 not out, being the main contributors. The home side replied with 108-9. Mansoor Naseem taking 4-21.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Glazebury inflicted a crushing defeat on struggling Ellesmere Port at Hurst Lane.
Batting first, Glazebury declared on 204-7, skipper Jack Warhurst top scoring with 51 and useful knocks coming from Dean Lord, 43 and Dave Acton, 33. Port were tumbled out for 49, the evergreen Jon Gibbons taking 5-23, Sam Stanier taking 2-15 and Kyle Keeble picking up 2-7.
Glazebury 2nd were involved in a gripping game with local rivals Rylands which ended in a tie.
Rylands batted first and hit 158, John Carroll 53 and Geoff Shaw 26. Pick of the Glazebury bowlers were Chris Ayre, 4-44 and Bruce Jardine, 3-26. Glazebury’s reply got off to a good start with skipper Ian Black hitting 45 and Ayre 24. But Joe Threadgold, 5-49 and Robert Wright, 3-22, bowled well for the home side and Glazebury also finished on 158.
Appleton took a mauling at Wistaston Village, where the home side batted first and totalled 175. Appleton were tumbled out for 66 of which Ehkisham Rashid hit an unbeaten 30.
It was a similar story for Appleton 3rd who were dismissed for 94 by Wilmslow, who hit off the runs for the loss of only two wickets.
Stretton 2nd went down hea vily against Stalybridge St Pauls who batted first and reached 174-9 before dismissing Stretton for 81, Will Metcalf, 24.
In the TACS Partnership Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park 2nd were bowled out for 69 by Barnton who hit off the runs for the loss of four wickets.