Grappers start with disappointing draw

GRAPPENHALL opened their Vivio Cheshire County League season with a disappointing draw at Marple, with performances not living up to expectations.
The home side batted first and hit 260-7 – a daunting target for the first match of the season.
Ill-disciplined bowling and poor fielding contributed to the size of the score.
Sam Guest took 3-61 and new boy Alex Matthews 2-46.
Grappers were without new overseas player and struggled with the bat, losing their first three wickets for 40. Opener Adam Roylance hit 31 and Richard Green 52 but Grappenhall were never in the hunt and finished on 148-7.
Grappenhall 2nd started their season, looking to bounce back from relegation last term, and got off to the best possible start against Sale at Broad Lane.
The visitors were bowled out for 135, thanks to some good bowling, particularly from new boy Scott Woodland, 3—35 and skipper Matt Titchard who took 4-3 in five overs to wrap up the tail.
Grappers had 50 0on the board before losing a wicket but then lost their way a bit and crawled to victory with four wickets and six overs to spare. Jack Critchley top scored with 38 not out.
Grappenhall 3rd started their season with a T20 mini league game against Knutsford and won by seven wickets in a one-sided contest.
Knutsford were all out for 59 in 18 overs and Grappers coasted home for the loss of only three wickets.
Warrington started their season with and eight wicket win over Congleton at Walton Lea.
The visitors were bowled out for 108, Nathan Green taking 5-43 and Chai Gadepalli 3-14.  Warrington coasted to 109-2, Tushar Mahambre hitting 59.
Warrington 2nd claimed a five wicket win at Congleton where the home side were dismissed for 123, Rishav Manta taking 4-11 , Simon Hewitt 3-20 and Phil Whelan 3-16. Warrington responded with 124-5, Sam Pennington 37 not out and James Lewis 27.
Lymm Oughtrington Park opened their season in the TACS Partnership Cheshire League with a seven wicket win over Stockport Trinity at Oughtrington Lane.
The visitors were held to 139-9, with Matthew Bradshaw taking 4-14 and Blair Weller 2-51.
Lymm lost a couple of quick wickets but then coasted to 140-3, Nafees Din hitting 59 not out and Matthew Carr 44.
Lymm Oughtrington Park 2nd  went down by six wickets at Ashton-on- Mersey where they batted first and were dismissed for 161. Jon Carson top scored with 58.
The home side replied with 162-4, despite a good spell of bowling from Robert Hutton, 3-34.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Appleton started their campaign with a good win at Tranmere Victoria.
Batting first, Appleton posted 187-7 and then dismissed the home side for 135.
Appleton 3rd also got off to a winning start with a five-wicket win over Stalybridge St Pauls at Lyons Lane.
The visitors were dismissed for 111, Jim Warham taking 5-21, including three caught-and-bowls. Appleton replied with 112-5, Warham again playing an important role with the top score of 27.
Glazebury came away with a six wicket win under their belts after travelling to Westminster Park.
The Chester side were bowled out for 155, Sam Stanier taking 4-46 and Tom Wilkinson 3-24. Glazebury replied with 156-4, opener Wayne Hargreaves hitting 36 not out and Ian Black 67.
Jack Warhurst  started his season with a century for Glazebury 2nd, hitting 108 out of the side’s 218-4 against Old Parkonians. Ian McCue chipped in with 29 and Alex McArthur hit 37.
The visiotors were dismissed for 72, Hakeem Dahou taking 5-19.
Stretton won by 50 runs when they scored 224 at home to Wistaston Village and then dismissed the visitors for 174.
Stretton 2nd inflicted a crushing defeat on Rostherne, tumbling them out for 64, W Qayum taking 3-35 and S Ehme 3-4. Stretton hit off the runs without loss, openers Mark owens and Ben Southworth hitting 32 not out each.