GRAPPENHALL remain second-to-bottom in the Chapel Press Cheshire County League following a bruising encounter with leaders Chester Boughton Hall.
Batting first at Chester they had to graft hard to reach an all-out total of 189 in 53.5 overs.
The middle-order battled for runs to repair early damage with Tony Hurdley top scoring with 39, Iain Wright hitting 34 and Gaz Burns 30.
Chester lost four wickets reaching the target, Hurdley taking 2-28 and Daniel Hawke 2-63.
Grappenhall 2nd fared rather better when they entertained the Chester side at Broad Lane – but had to settle for a draw.
Batting first, Grappenhall hit 249-8, opener Paul Radage batting superbly and falling just three short of a century. Ian Barnes hit 55 and Mike Holden 33.
Chester were 200-7 at the close, Albert Pennington taking 4-65.
In division two, Warrington won by four wickets at Middlewich to cement their position at number fall in the table. The home side batted first and were dismissed for 186, Drew Martel taking 4-63 and Matt Adams 2-35.
Warrington progressed to 187-6, Richard Heaney 52 not out, Michael Rudd 47 and Malcolm Agar 33.
Warrington 2nd chalked up an eight wicket win over Middlewich at Walton Lea. The visitors batted first and were held to 167-7, veteran Paul Agar taking 4-64 and Nick Houghton 2-28. Warrington replied with 171-2, James Rudd 82 not out and Steve Roberts 70.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Glazebury won at Rylands by five wickets – the first time they have beaten their near neighbours in a decade.
The home side batted first and reached 177-9 in 48 overs. Eddie Platt top scored with 78 and the second highest score was “extras” with 30, 14 of which were wides. Sam Stanier took 3-69 and Dave Acton 5-77.
Wayne Hargreaves led Glazebury’s reply with 74 with good support from Jack Warhurst, 45. Andy Harrison, 3-41, was the pick of the Rylands’ attack.
Glazebury 2nd went down by five wickets at home to Frodsham. John Acton’s 20 was Glazebury’s best in an all-out otal of 135. The visitors replied with 139-5, Chris Lord taking 2-23.
Appleton’s run of poor form continued as they salvaged a draw at Hartford where the home side batted first and hit 208-6. Appleton were on 124-8 at the close.
Appleton 2nd were dismissed for 103, Emma Barlow 26 not out and Michael Cumberland 20.
Hartfor replied with 104-4, Danny Oliver 2-29.
Appleton 4th were beaten by eight wickets by Rylands 2nd. Appleton were dismissed for 94 and Rylands finished 95-2.
Women’s cricket
APPLETON recorded a vital win over Chester Boughton Hall in the Cheshire Women’s League.
Ali Cutler made 66 for Boughton Hall, supported by 26 from Sara Williams, as they closed on 154-6. Chloe Page and Jess Lewis both took 2-26.
Anni Rashid’s 55 not out led the way to a six wicket win, with Jenna Mape adding 23 in the winning partnership and Amy Page making 20.
