Leaders held to a draw

GRAPPENHALL took on league leaders Bramhall in the Chapel Press Cheshire County League and, after winning the toss, decided to put them in on a good wicket at Broad Lane.
At first it looked a good decision as the visitors struggled to 41-3.
But batting in depth, the powerful Bramhall side were able to recover to 204-8. Steve Titchard, with 2-46, was the most effective Grappenhall bowler.
At 88-2, Grappenhall’s reply looked promising but when Richard Green went for 45 with the score on 100-4 the game was in the balance. Titchard, 31 and wicket keeper Liam Parkinson batted well but at the close Grappers were on 174-8.
Grappenhall 2nd were unlucky to go down by two wickets at Oulton Park as the home side sealed victory with just two balls to spare. Grappenhall were put in first and reached 218-9, Dave Langhorn 40 and Adam Roylance 30..
Mike Holden, 3-39, Tom Wright, 2-31 and Neil Titchard 2-55 all bowled well but in a tense finish, the home side claimed victory with 219-8
Grappenhall 3rd took a pasting at the hands of Hydge, who batted first and amassed 231-7 in 45 overs, with Adam Roylance, 2-18, providing the best return in a poor bowling display.
Grappenhall were then tumbled out for a meagre 47, with Neil Muttock, 14, the only batsman to reach double figures.
Warrington won the toss and opted to put give visiting Upton first choice of the wicket. It looked a good decision because they were back in the pavilion after 47 overs after posting a modest 146.
But Warrington’s batsmen failed and were dismissed in 40 overs for 123.
Appleton went down by four wickets against Woodford.
Batting first, Appleton reached 178-7, Richard Clarke top scoring with an impressive 64 not out and Anthony Hurst hitting 37. Woodford replied with 180-6, despite good bowling by Lee Stoll, 3-50 and James Darbyshire, 2-39.
Appleton 2nd enjoyed an eight wicket win over Eastham, however, bowling them out for 87, Edward Pugh 5-29, Pete Worrall 3-31 and Michael Ormson 2-25. Appleton replied with 88-2, Tom Shard 46 not out and Marcus Pepper 22 not out.
A draw was the best Appleton 4th could hope for after Woodford hammered a massive 248-5-5. Appleton were holding on at 150-8 at the close.
Rylands paceman Sean Malone bagged an incredible 9-18 at Knutsford when the home side capitulated for 49. Mark Green, 1-7, chipped in to stop him getting all 10.
But questions must be raised about the wicket after Rylands lost five wickets claiming victory.
Glazebury picked up a five wicket victory against Mossley after restricting them to 151-8. Jon Gibbons picked up 4-36. Then Ian McCue, 47 and Paul Warhurst, 43, steered Glazebury to a winning 157-5.
Glazebury 2nd were unlucky to miss out on victory after hitting 174-6 against Offerton. Jason Butterworth hit 30 and Sean Caine 28. Offerton managed to hang on for the draw at 105-7, despite David Nicholson taking 4-37.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Stretton 2nd raced to a nine wicket win after dismissing Mere for 120.
Lymm Oughtrington Park managed to hang on for a draw after Stockport declared on 215-6. Lymm were 159-9 at the close.