WARRINGTON remain top of division one in the Cheshire Cricket League – 24 points clear of the chasing pack – after a 35 run victory at Middlewich.
Winning the toss, Warrington elected to bat first and hammered a match winning 246-5 in 45 overs, openers Aa mir Ali and Liam Jenkins putting on 78 for the first wicker.
Jenkins hit 51 and Ali finished on 134 not out – and innings that included 12 fours and four sixes.
Jonathan Howell hit 38.
Middlewich could only muster 211-5 in their 45 overs, despite a late rally that briefly threatened Warrington’s dominance.
Warrington’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Ashley Scholes, 2-32, the pick of the bunch.
Grappenhall seem to be suffering their usual second-half-of-the season slump, going down at home to Nantwich in a match they should have been able to win.
The visitors elected to bat first and were bowled out for 157 – a total Grappers should have been able to pass.
But after opener Arav Shetty’s swift 31, the rest of the batsmen showed little flair and Joe Ashmore’s 22 was the second top score as the side were dismissed in 24.4 overs.
Joe Ashmore’s 3-20 was Grappenhall’s best bowling performance.
The result left Grappers ninth in the Cheshire County League ECB premier division – worryingly close to the relegation zone.
Appleton lost by seven wickets at Bunbury after winning the toss, batting first and hitting 159-8.
Bunbury hit off the runs in 33 overs for the loss of three wickets.
Lymm Oughtrington Park lost by one wicket at Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge after being bowled out for 99 despite a fine 55 from opener Zia Moinuddin.
The bowlers hit back and the home side had to fight hard for their victory. Antonnel Atwell took 5-19.
It was a disappointing result for Lymm, but they remain third in the division two table, still within touching distance of promotion.
Glazebury went down by 22 runs at home to Winsford
The visitors batted first and were all out for a gettable 145, Ben Marota taking 3-45 and Kyle Keeble 3-20.
Jack Warhurst hit a defiant 38 when Glazebury replied but there were only 123 runs on the board when the final wicket fell.
Other matches:
Grappenhall 2nd, 217-7 lost to Marple, 218-4; Grappenhall 3rd , 101, lost to Toft 102-1; Lymm Oughtrington Park 2nd 67 lost to Neston 196-9; Appleton 2nd 67 lost to Neston 196-9; Appleton 3rd 109-8 lost to Ashley, 110-7; Glazebury 2nd 159 beat Rostherne 131; Warrington 4th 92-4 beat Barrow 88.
