Grappers on the brink!

GRAPPENHALL Cricket Club go into their final game of the season at the weekend needing a win to avoid relegation after losing out at Macclesfield.
Winning the toss, Grappenhall had little option but to bat first in looking to try for maximum points. The team were soon in trouble at 30 for 3, with both openers, Richard Green, Liam Parkinson and number three, Adam Roylance back in the shed, finding the seam and bounce at one end difficult to cope with.
This brought Mike Sambells, who has been in fine form for the two`s, and the experienced Tony Hurdley together. The pair gradually began to repair the damage, taking the score to 63 when Tony was out. Iain Wright joined Mike, the two going on to produce the best partnership of the match, 92, when Mike was bowled for an inspired innings of 77, which on debut this season for the ones was a quite superb effort, with a wide array of fine shots and excellent running between the wickets.
Ian Barnes joined Iain, the two adding a further 28 before the latter fell to a catch on the long on boundary for a very well made 45, another consistent contribution. Gaz Burns fell quickly, but in conjunction with Steve Titchard, who looked in good touch, the two added quick runs, before Barnsy was out for another typically hard hit 25. With the score on 194 in the 49th over, it was essential to get the 200 up, and this was achieved calmly by Titch and Luke Williams who took the total to 224 for 8, they each been undefeated with 17 and 12 not out respectively.
At this point the declaration was made after 53 overs, giving Grappenhall extra time to try and bowl Macclesfield out.
Grappenhall began with Luke Williams and skipper Guy Emmett, the former a bit off line initially, but it was Guy who made the initial break throughs with two quick wickets, and asking questions of all the batsmen.
Barnsey replaced Luke, and took a wicket with his first delivery to remove the dangerous Porter, and Macc found themselves at 42 for 3. Guy continued to bowl well, and was dissapointed not to get a caught behind which appeared very obvious, but kept things quiet at his end. Barnsey after a good start, got a bit of stick when going too short, and Gaz who replaced him had no luck either, while Adam Roylance had six overs without any joy.
Meanwhile Titch who had replaced Guy, bowled a lengthy spell of 18 overs, taking a creditable 3 for 59, and was also unlucky not to get what appeared a plumb lbw decision!
Macc meanwhile kept going for the runs, and at 186 for 6 required just under six an over, and it was K Sawas with 106 not out who was largely responsible for them reaching their target in the last over.
Grappenhall were undoubtedly dissapointed not to get the win, but in taking 13 points from the match now find themselves 12 points adrift, so conceivably it could all go down to the last match, which is a must win game. On a final note, Grappenhall`s out cricket was generally below par, with too many runs given away in the field, which ultimately had the match been drawn, would have given them a further two potentially invaluable points.