Grappers lose to leaders

GRAPPENHALL missed-out on an opportunity to gain promotion to the Chapel Press Cheshire County League with two matches still remaining.
In a top-of-the-table clash with Bowdon – who are already promoted – they lost by two wickets and picked up only three points.
Thanks to other results going in Grappenhall’s favour, the result still leaves the Broad Lane outfit almost assured to going up. But they are unlikely to replace Bowdon as champions.
After heavy rain, conditions were far from ideal at Broad Lane and on losing the toss, Grappenhall were asked to bat first.
The first few overs were quite eventful, with Jimmy McCoy out first ball, and promoted opener Mike Sambells been run out through a misjudgement.
Richard Green was stumped and Grappenhall were wobbling at 14-3.
A partnership of 69 between Jason Smith and Adam Roylance restored some order with Adam finally going for a good 30 and Jason going on to make a very good 55 including a number of the big hits which have become his trademark.
Grappenhall then lost three quick wickets, before Gaz Burns and Matt Titchard both got into double figures to take the total to 135 all out in the 46th over.
Bowdon got off to a flyer in the first few overs, with every loose delivery been punished.
But wickets soon began to fall and the visitors were tottering on 50-7.
Grappenhall now looked favourites, but their last two recognised batsmen had other ideas and built a useful partnership and although Jason Smith bowled superbly to finish with 7-39, Bowdon reached their target with two wickets and six overs remaining.
Grappenhall 2nd won by two wickets at Nantwich, where the home side were bowled out for 146, Richard Wiles taking 4-70, Mike Holden 3-28 and Albert Pennington 3-17. Grappers replied with 147-8, Richard Holden 35 and Mike Holden 41.
After a heavy defeat the previous week, Grappenhall 3rd travelled to Toft with the league title all but a distant memory.
Skipper Tom Roberts decided to bat first on a pitch of rock hard rolled mud. Grappers were soon struggling on 40-4. But the later batsmen grafted hard and managed to reach a final total of 125-9.
This did not look enough, particularly when the home side reached 50 without loss. But when Albert Pennington and Neil Muttock were introduced into the attack the game changed. Three wickets fell quickly and, with a suicidal run-out, Grappenhall sensed a chance. With nine overs left and five wickets remaining, Toft were still in with a chance but the game swung in the visitors’ favour and ended in a 19-run victory for Grappenhall with one over to spare.
Warrington’s hopes of promotion from division two took a knock when they went down by 28 runs against visiting Stockport.
Kyle Adams, 4-65 and Matt Adams, 6-30, bowled superbly to dismiss the visitors for 134.
Warrington’s reply started promisingly with Malcolm Agar, 30 and Richard Heaney, 33, putting on 53 for the first wicket. At 72-2, they looked well set for victory. But a collapse followed and the homesters were bowled out for 106.
Warrington now need to win both their remaining matches to stand any chance of promotion.
Warrington 2nd went down by three wickets at Stockport where they were put in and reached 139-9. Malcolm Gwatkin hit 32 and Nick Horton 41 not out.
Robert Batey took 4-56 when the home side batted but could not prevent them reaching 140-7.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Glazebury, now doomed to relegation, went down heavily at The Groves.
After the Wirral side had hit 191-8, Glazebury were tumbled out for 77.
But Glazebury 2nd turned the tables at Hurst Lane where they dismissed The Groves for 83 David Gilhooley took 3-18, David Nicholson 3-16 and Sean Caine 3-4.
Opener Phil McCue hit a masterly 53 not out as Glazebury replied with 86-3.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Appleton managed to hang on for a draw at Lyons Lane after Trinity had amassed 219-9. Appleton finished on 116-7.
Appleton 4th went down by three wickets at Kerridge after batting first and reaching 108, Peter Hesford 34.
Kerridge replied with 112-7, F. Mirza 3-42.
Rylands were held to a draw by Bowdon Vale after batting first and hitting a challenging 205-7. The visitors replied with 125-5, without ever appearing to attempt to reach the target.