Cheshire Premier League cricket returns – and Grappers find the going tough

CHESHIRE Premier League cricket returned to Grappenhall’s Broad Lane ground for the first time since 2019.
Grappers took on local rivals Toft, but despite fielding a strong team with two new arrivals – New Zealander Tom MacRury and Lancashire 2nd XI batsman Arav Shetty – as well as Leicestershire all-rounder EEddie Barnes, went down by four wicckets.
A big crowd would turn up throughout the day, with many locals coming down for their first taste of cricket this season.
Put into bat first on a slow, soft wicket, Grappers made a solid start to reach 36-1 off 8 overs before losing three quick wickets.
Captain Peter Barnes, 32 and Ben Bodha 40, re-built the innings, adding 43 for the fifth wicket which proved to be the highest partnership of the match.
From 86-4 and eyeing up a score upwards of 150, Grappers then fell to 122 all out.
Defending a low score, Grappers knew they had to start well in the field and through Eddie Barnes they did just that, removing one of the openers for a duck. Lancashire bat Rob Jones then showed his quality with a run-a-ball 25, putting the game in Toft’s favour as they reached 49-1 off 15 overs.
Ian Hall and Arran McCabe took a wicket each as Grappers sensed an opportunity, but the game remained in Toft’s favour with so few runs on the board. Skipper Barnes introduced spin into the attack through Tom MacRury, who gave Grappers a sniff with excellent figures of 3-17. Unfortunately for Grappers, Toft were able to get home by four wickets.
Grappenhall 2nd opened their Division One season with a win at neighbours Widnes.
The home side were bowled out for 125 with 18 year old James Knowles picking up 3-34 off 10 overs, Ross Arrowsmith taking 2-15 off 12 and young debutant Tom Bramhall bowling superbly for 1-29 off 11.
Grappers chased down the total for the loss of five wickets with plenty of overs to spare, Arthur Pennington top scoring with a superb 53, ably supported by Arrowsmith with 40.
Grappenhall 3rd XI T20 Cup game on Sunday was rained off with Grappers 9-0 from two overs.
Warrington were asked to bat first at Wirral side Maritime and at 89- 2 seemed to be going well.
But the loss of opener Patrick Tyrell for a fine 62 was the start of a collapse that left the visitors on a disappointing 135-9 when the overs ran out. No other batsman reached 20 and only three reached double figures.
Maritime lost their first wicket at 24 but then took command and by the time their second wicket fell at 120 the writing was on the wall.
Warrington bowled well – but not well enough to unduly trouble a strong batting line up and Maritme finished winners by five wickets.
Warrington 2nd managed to hang on for a draw at home to Didsbury who batted first and posted a challenging 253-4.
The hosts were never in the hunt, despite a fighting 37 from Phil Whelan and an unbeated 25 from skipper Chaigadapalli.
But they managed to hang on for the draw at 109-8.
In the Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park got their season off in fine style with a seven wicket home victory over Knutsford.
Batting first, Knutsford were rolled over for 84, Anthony Spaven taking 4-27 and Shovan Chattergee 3-41
Lymm lost no time in hitting off the runs for the loss of three wickets in just 28 overs. Prashant Nanda hit 25 and Arvind Pillai 26 not out.
Lymm 2nd also won at Knutsford, hitting 182-9, They restricted the home side to 112.
Appleton went down by 80 runs at Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge. They bowled well to dismiss the home side for 133 but were then rolled over for paltry 53 with only Ed Sygrove, 17, batting at number
10, reaching double figures and six ducks waddling back to the pavilion.
Appleton 2nd were well beaten at home to Chester Boughton Hall after being bowled out for 64.
Appleton 3rd conceded their match and Appleton 4th lost at Frodsham where the home side hit 157-4 in 40 overs and Appleton were held to 137 despite an unbeaten 50 from Tom Little.
Glazebury went down by 42 runs in a low scoring game at home to Prestbury.
They bowled well to dismiss the visitors for 86, Tom Whitby taking 4-13, Jack Whitehead 3-19 and Jack Warhurst 2-17 But then they were bowled out for 44 in 30 overs.
Glazebury 2nd picked up a win the easy way – when Warrington 4th were unable to raise a team.