OPENER Richard Green carried his bat for a solid 96 when Grappenhall totaled 213-7 against high flying Christleton in the Chapel Press Cheshire County League.
Will Sharp hit 27 and skipper Steve Titchard 37 as Grappenhall coasted to maximum batting points on a good track.
In reply Christleton looked relatively untroubled despite tight bowling from Titchard and Andy Tetlow, putting on 56 for the first wicket, before the introduction of Ian Hall who took the vital wicket of De Silva who has been in blistering form in recent weeks.
A further three wickets fell and Christleton were now well behind the rate. Titchard introduced spin from both ends, which kept the opposition `interested`, and a flurry of late wickets saw the visitors finish on 188-8.
Hall was the pick of the bowlers finishing with 4- 35.
Grappenhall 2nd won the toss and chose to bat first against Middlewich with the forecast suggesting heavy rain around 4pm.
Dean Langhome hammered 84 from 66 balls, including 13 fours and two sixes and Matt Bennison hit 42 as Grappenhall reached 214-7.
Middlewich started well but fell behind the run rate and finished on 126-8, Mark Roylance taking 4-30 and Adam Roylance 3-37.
Grappenhall 3rd chose to bowl first at Broad Lane but, despite good bowling from Jack Critchley, 3-35, and Neil Muttock the visitors reached 191-6.
Too many mistakes in the field contributed to the total.
The total was always going to be difficult to reach but Neil Muttock, 88 not and Adam Roylance, 67 soon put Grappers on course for victory.
In the end they enjoyed a comfortable eight wicket win.
Warrington’s abysmal season continued with a nine wicket defeat at the hands of Urmston.
Andy Kirby hit 41, Toby Mullins 36 and Robert Batey 26 not out as Warrington were dismissed for 163. Then title-chasers Urmston hit off the runs for the loss of just one wicket to leave Warrington 26 points adrift at the foot of the table.
Warrington 2nd went down by eight wickets against Toft, managing only 134 with Mal Gwatkin 41 and David Baxter 21. Toft took the game with 135-2.
Warrington 3rd were just nine runs short of Birkenhead’s total of 164. Ainsley Wooldridge took 6-53 for Warrington who replied with 155, Sam Nichols 41 and John Stoker 29.
Warrington 4th were the only side to manage a win. They reached 160-6 after dismissing Birkenhead Park for 159.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park held on for a draw after Over People had declared on 207-3. They finished on 161-5.
Stretton hammered a massive 263-1 declared against Wilmslow but could not force a victory with Wilmslow clinging on at 174-9.
Stretton 2nd were tumbled out for 33 after restricting Hale Barns for 125-9.
In the Cheshire Alliance, the normally strong Rylands batting line-up was humiliated by being bowled out for 44, with only two batsmen reaching double figures, after visiting Disley had declared on 206-6. Andy Harrison took 2-53 and Sam Mulholland 2-52.
Rylands 2nd went down by six wickets against Frodsham.
Rylands were dismissed for 111, Danny Chriscoli 34, Sean Peters 25 and Steve Howarth 23. Frodsham coasted to 113-4, Bond Bateson taking 3-30.
Glazebury were held to a draw at Heaton Mersey Village after batting first and reaching 179-9. Rhys Marsh hit 45, skipper Chris Lord 31 and David Acton 40.
The home side were 91-7 at the close, Acton taking 5-30.
There was a controversy over the Glazebury 2nd XI game with The Parks when the game was cancelled due to a mix-up over the non-availability of the Hurst Lane ground due to Glazebury Gala taking place. The issue will have to be settled by the League management committee.
Women’s Cricket
