GRAPPENHALL’S bid to win promotion to the Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League first division was thwarted by the weather when heavy rain led to their game against Marple being abandoned as a draw.
Steve Titchard’s men had to be content with seven points – which left them clinging on to the number two spot in the league table.
Marple elected to bat first on a slow wicket at Broad Lane and made a steady start at 47-2.
But Grappers’ spinners – Titchard and Sam Baxter – bowling in tandem led to wickets falling regularly.
The skipper finished with 6-29 after 12 economical overs while Baxton claimed 3-67 from 17 overs. Marple were eventually dismissed for 149.
A feature of the innings was an excellent display by wicketkeeper Liam Parkinson who had five victims, three catches and two stumpings.
Grappenhall made a disastrous start and were at one time struggling on 25-5.
But Titchard, 33 not out and Cameron Park, 21, not out, rebuilt the innings only to see the rain sweep in and end the proceedings with Grappenhall on 83-5.
Grappenhall 2nd, also bidding for promotion, were away to struggling Heaton Mersey.
The home side chose to bat first and made a solid start. But the introduction of Ian Jackson, playing his first 2nd XI game in nearly 20 years at Grappenhall, resulting in a complete change as he claimed three wickets in his first eight deliveries.
Mersey slumped from 102-1 to 112-4 but Grappenhall did not capitalise on this and let the opposition post a commanding score of 242-6 from only 47 overs, with Jackson finishing with 3-44.
In reply Grappenhall were soon in trouble when the in form Hartley was well caught for two. Adam Roylance and Ian Jackson took the score to 72 before Roylance played a loose shot and was out for 28. Bradley Angel stayed with Jackson for a while with a useful 18, however Grappenhall were always behind the required rate and when Jackson was stumped for 55 with the rain falling an abandoned game was looking favourite.
It was then that Grappenhall took the game to Mersey with Neil Titchard and Sam Guest sharing a partnership of 51-5 overs before play was halted to the heavy rain with only 58 runs needed off 14 overs.
Heaton Mersey were reluctant to take the field again until enough overs had been lost to put the pressure back on Grappenhall, and when play was resumed only 10 over were left. The game finally ended in a draw with Grappenhall on 198-8 leaving Neil Titchard on 47 not out from 31 balls. Grappenhall claimed 10 points from the game.
Former Lancashire and England batsman Neil Fairbrother, who started his career with Grappenhall, made his debut for Grappenhall’s Over 40s XI in their last match of the season against Chester Boughton Hall.
Batting first, Grappers hit 140 with Paul Radage 30 retired, Mark Critchley 30 retired and Marvyn Roberts 28. Fairbrother was caught and bowled after hitting six. In reply Chester were restricted to 113 runs by steady bowling from all the Grappenhall bowlers.
The over 40s after losing their first two games of the season then proceeded to remain unbeaten.
Warrington’s division one game against visiting Cheadle Hulme had to be abandoned after the rain set in.
The visitors batted first and reached 195-6 in 50 overs. Brendan Morris was Warrington’s most effective bowler with 2-28.
Warrington were 107-3 when the rain arrived, opener James Hughes 47 not out and Chris Kirby hitting 49.
The weather also played a big part in the Cheshire Association.
Appleton’s division one game with Frodsham was abandoned with Frodsham struggling on 63-5 after Appleton had batted first and hit 159-8.
In division two, Glazebury hit 208 at home to Haslington, with Ian McCue top scoring with 61. The visitors were 29-0 when the game was abandoned.
Rylands won by three wickets at Norbury, with Alan Peters taking 5-16 as the home side were dismissed for 91. Rylands also found runs hard to get but reached their target with three wickets remainings. Keith Jarvis hit 34 not out.
In division three, Appleton 2nd were held to a draw at Ellesmere Port.
Batting first, Appleton scored 153-6, Brian Woods 88 not out. Ellesmere Port were 117-4 at the close.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park amassed 237-5 declared at Barnton, with Scholes hitting a magnificent 156 not out.
But the home side – aided by the weather – held out for a draw on 90-2.
