Promotion hopes evaporate

GRAPPENHALL’S slender hopes of gaining promotion to the premier division of the Chapel Press Cheshire County League evaporated with a poor performance against struggling Upton.
The home side, themselves in the relegation zone, chose to bat first on a decent wicket, and made 173-8 declared – a total that was inflated by some poor ground fielding and expensive spin bowling.
Grappenhall made a promising start with 32 for the first wicket, but then suffered a disastrous collapse, with the middle order disintegrating, against the accurate medium pace of Linwood who took seven wickets. There was brief resistance from skipper Steve Titchard, 23 and Adam Roylance, 12 but after their dismissal the innings finally closed on a dismal 90 all out in the 34th over.
With just three matches remaining, the team has to re-group and find the confidence to finish the season in a substantially improved manner.
In the 2nd XI game, Grappenhall were asked to bat on a hard and dusty wicket.
Dave Nicholson gave a sterling display to hit 63, Ian Wright hit 29 and Mike Holden 24. but the middle order failed to produce many runs and it was only a scorching 16 from nine balls from Mark Roylance that enabled Grappenhall to reach 185 and claim maximum batting points.
It was a total that should have won the match, but Grappenhall were lethargic in the field and well below their usual standards. The bowlers leaked and Upton reached their target with four wickets to spare in 40 overs.
Grappenhall 3rd – with promotion a definite possibility – had to bowl first on a good batting wicket at Alderley Edge won the toss.
But Alderley failed to take advantage and with Chris France taking7-46 in a magnificent spell, were all out for 151.
Grappenhall batted sensible, pushing the score along without taking chances. Les Connolly hit 29, Mark Tyerman 66 and France 31 as the side coasted to a match winning 152-5
Grappers now have one match left – which could provide an exciting finish to the season.
Warrington’s late revival continued with another victory – the third in succession.
Pacemen Steven Carlile, 5-45 and Steve Heydon, 4-24, demolished Heaton Mersey for 126.
Warrington’s reply started well with James Hughes, 29, and Richard Heaney, 17 putting on 44 for the first wicket. A mid-order collapse reduce the side to 60-5 but then skipper Liam Heaphy, 19 and Robert Batey, 24 restored some order to the batting and Warrington ran out eventual winners on 128-7.
The victory lifted them from the foot of the table for the first time this season but still some distance from avoiding relegation.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park held on for a draw against Winsford who batted first and totalled 185-8. Lymm’s last pair were at the wicket at the end but they held out at 170-9.
Stretton enjoyed a seven wicket victory over Wistaston at home, dismissing the visitors for 82 and replying with a comfortable 85-3.
Stretton 2nd suffered a nine wicket defeat at the hands of Runcorn. Stretton batted first and could only muster 123-9. The home side replied with 127-1.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Appleton entertained Langley and lost by three wickets.
Appleton hit 132-9, Chris Grumley 62 and David Hurst 26 to restore some respectability after a disastrous start. Langley replied with 133-7, Edward Pugh taking 2-37 and Tom Lomas 2-28.
Glazebury hit a massive 232-6 at Holmes Chapel, Devesh Shete hitting 50, Ian McCue 84 and David Acton 29 not out.
The home side struggled for runs but held out for 133-6. Acton took 2-26.
Glazebury 2nd also posted a big total when they took on Disley at Hurst Lane.
Dean Lord hammered 76, with 15 fours, skipper Wayne Hargreaves hit 36 and David Gibson also contributed 36 as Glazebury reached 220-8.
Disley were dismissed for 162, Paul Charlton taking 5-47