GRAPPENHALL and Alderley Edge drew a intensely fought Cheshire County League game at Broad Lane which remained in the balance almost to the last over.
It was a game that should disuade those doubters who believe that drawn matches can’t be exciting.
The visitors elected to bat first and racked up a formidable total of 237-8 – largely due to an unbeaten 163 from skipper Sam Perry.
Only two other batters reached double figures and Grappers’ bowlers were always causing problems for the batters – with the exception n of Perry.
Grappenhall’s innings was also dominated by one man – opener Arav Shetty, who hit a priceless 100.
But skipper Ben Bodha chipped in with 40 and at 200-5 Grappers looked to be heading for a famous victory.
Then wickets began to tumble and when Shetty was out with the score on 225-9 it was left to the last pair to play out the draw.
Over at Alderley Edge, Grappenhall comfortably won the 2nd XI game by seven wickets.
Grappers put the home side in and bowled them out for200 in 43 overs, Stanley Pennington, Fameesh Azeez, Ross Arrowsmith and Zach Tully taking two wickets each. Grappenhall hit off the runs in 28 overs for the loss of three wickets.
Opener William Fell hit an unbeaten 108, Gaz Burns hit 30 and Steve Rooney 27.
Unbeaten Warrington remain top of division one in the Cheshire Cricket League after another fine victory – this time at Wilmslow.
Winning the toss they elected to field first and restricted the home side to 142-8.
Pick of the bowlers was Ashley Scholes with 3-15 in eight overs.
Opening bat A Ali hit a blistering 94 from 88 balls, including eight sixes and five fours as Warrington raced to 146-4 in 28 overs.
Warrington 2nd lost by 88 runs at home to Congleton after being rolled over for 51 with only one batter reaching double figures.
Warrington 3rd won by 115 runs hosting Neston at Walton Lea.
Batting first they hit 249-8, openers Abdul Javed and Fahad Qayum hitting 66 and 54 respectively.
The visitors were restricted to 134-7, Warrington’s bowlers sharing the wickets.
Lymm Oughtrington Park cantered to a seven wicket victory in a low-scoring game at home to Malpas after bowling the visitors out for a meagre 40. Anthony Spaven took 3-6 and K Megharaj 3-7.
Lymm lost three wickets getting the runs, but the result was never in doubt.
It was a very different story for Lymm 2nd who won by 144 runs at Oxton.
Lymm amassed 255-4 after being put in. A Pillai hit 70 and A Karkhanis 84.
Y Shinde took 3-14 as Oxton responded with 111 all out.
Appleton won by eight wickets at Wirral after bowling out the home side for 51.
Moshin Rafique took 3-15, and Dave Sujith 3-14. Appleton lost their openers cheaply but then cruised to victory.
Appleton 2nd went down by 10 runs at home to Chester County Officers.
Batting first, the visitors hit 100 all out, Christopher Priest taking 3-22. Appleton were all out for 90, , G Collighan top-scoring with 21.
Appleton 3rd won by 65 runs entertaining Offerton.
Asked to bat first, Appleton hit a modest 143-8. Skipper Paul White hit 25 and wicket keeper David Walsh 27.
The total proved to be more than enough as Offerton were dismissed for 78 with Tashit Sali taking 3-14.
Glazebury won by five wickets after dismissing visitors Styal for 107 at Hurst Lane. Tom Whitby took 3-17.
Jack Warhurst hit a brisk 37 not out when Glazebury replied while opener Wayne Hargreaves contributed a patient 28 as Glazebury replied with 111-5.
Glazebury 2nd went down by 89 runs at Ashley after the home side had hit 147-8. Anil Varma Gadhiraju took 3-35.
Skipper Guru Bogula top scored with 23 as Glazebury were bowled out for 58.
