GRAPPENHALL lost by two wickets in a hard-fought game at Nantwich in the Cheshire County League ECB premier division.
Put in first, they were all out for 215 – a disappointing total after the 125 opening partnership by Adam Roylance, 64, and Arav Shetty, 54.
There were useful knocks from Joe Ashmore, 24 and Tom MacRury, 20 but the middle order did not produce enough runs.
By contrast, it was the middle-order that produced the goods for Nantwich and although the game was very much in the balance for much of their innings they eventually claimed victory with 221-8, with the winning runs coming from a mighty six.
Joe Ashmore, with 4-54, was the pick of Grappenhall’s bowlers.
Grappenhall 2nd lost by 17 runs in another keenly contested game at home to Marple.
Electing to field first they restricted the visitors to 162-9. But Grappers found runs hard to get in reply and it was largely due to some spirited batting from the lower order that they got anywhere near their target. Stanley Pennington, batting at number 10, top scored with 33.
Grappenhall 3rd won by seven wickets hosting Brooklands, who they bowled out for 86. Ben Clissold took 3-8.
Unbeaten Warrington strengthened their position at the top of the Cheshire Cricket League division one table with an 82-run victory over Middlewich at Walton Lea.
Put in first, Warrington hit 189-8 with Liam Jenkins top-scoring with 62 and Harley Barratt and unbeaten 50.
The visitors never looked like getting the runs and were all out for 107 in 29 overs.
Pick of the Warrington bowlers were Aamir Ali with 4-21 and Brad Roden with 3-5.
The result left Warrington top of the table, 29 points ahead of their nearest rival,
Lymm Oughtrington Park won their division two game at home to Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge by 23 runs.
Skipper S Chatterjee top scored with 49 not out as Lymm batted first and hit 169. Chris Oakes hit a useful 35.
The visitors could only muster 146 with Anthony Spaven taking 4-11.
A depleted Glazebury lost by seven wickets at Winsford after being bowled out for 49, only two batsmen reaching double figures. The home side hit off the runs for the loss of three wickets.
Glazebury 2nd lost by six wickets at home to Rosterne after being bowled out for 90, Madurakavi Deivanayakan top scoring with 27.
Appleton’s home game was cancelled but Appleton 2nd enjoyed an exciting five run victory at Alvanley after batting first and hitting 174.
Daniel Ranns hammered 70 and Lee Stoll hit a useful 40 for Appleton.
The home side were all out for 169 with Edward Pugh, Josh Hill and Andrew Etchells taking three wickets each.
Appleton 3rd won by three runs in another nail-biting finish at Ashley. Opener Mark Sands hit 46 and John Porter 40 as Appleton totalled 150.
The home side got agonisingly close to victory but finished three runs short. Appleton’s bowlers shared the wickets between them.
Appleton 4th lost by seven wickets at home to Cholmondeley after being bowled out for 114
