Four wickets in four balls in bottom-of-table clash

WARRINGTON picked up a valuable win in the bottom-of-the-table clash with Weaverham in the Vivio Cheshire County League division one.
It was a low scoring affair with Warrington’s bowlers well in control as Weaverham batted first at Walton Lea. Johan Els, 2-21 and Brad McIntosh, 2-33 both bowled well but when it was James Rudd was brought into the attack that things really got lively..
His first delivery drew an LBW appeal which was turned down – but his next four balls brought him four wickets as Weaverham collapsed to 108 all out.  Rudd’s final figures were a remarkable  4-0 in five balls!
Warrington also struggled for runs with the opening stand of 27 between Malcolm Agar, 15 and Richard Heaney, 12 was the highest of the innings. The next best , for the eighth wicket, brought 24 runs with Liam Heaphy hitting 15 not out and Ashley Scholes 10 no9t out to take Warrington to a two wicket win.
The 2nd XI derby between Grappenhall and Warrington at Broad Lane resulted in an easy win for the home side.
Warrington were asked to bat first and hit 183-9, skipper Simon Swain, 74, leading the way with Isaac Webster hitting 45 and Rob Dempster 27.
But this target proved easy for Grappenhall who cruised home with seven wickets to spare. Will Sharp hit an excellent 67 and Josh Hayes hit 50.
Warrington 3rd won by seven wickets at Kingsley after the home side had rattled up an impressive 257-6. James Shaw, 4-33 was the pick of Warrington’s bowlers.
After losing two early wickets, Mantab, 114 not out and Tim Rothwell, 89 put Warrington on course for a great victory.
Warrington 4th were rolled over by 162 against Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge who amassed 238-1 and then dismissed Warrington for 76, of which Andy Goodfellow scored 33.
In the county league premier division, Grappenhall provided another exciting finish at Nantwich, although the game ended in a draw.
The home side, which included Ireland one day international Niall O’Brien, were dismissed for 203 with Albert Pennington taking 6-68.
Grappenhall got off to a terribly start and were struggling at 28-4 at one stage. But Aussie Owen Lynch, 88 and Pennington steadied the ship and at one time Grappers looked to be on course for victory. Another slump followed and Grappenhall were left hanging on a 198-9 at the close.
Grappers’ 3rd were comfortable winners at Alderley Edge with the home side at one time 32-5 and eventually reaching only 92. David Seed took four wickets and Stanley Pennington and Akshat Pranesh three each.  Grappers batted steadily to win with 45 overs of the game to spare.
Grappenhall 1st interested in the Cheshire Cup ended when they were beaten by Chester Boughton Hall by five wickets after posting a disappointing 155.
In the Cheshire League division one, Lymm Oughtrington Park picked up a 63-run victory at Middlewich after reaching 215-7.  Jonathan Fletcher top scored with 64, Matthew Bradshaw hit 30 and skipper Travis Scholes 38 not out.
The home side were bowled out for 152 with Nick Chadbourne, Syed Khan and Andy Hossack taking three wickets each.
Stretton picked up an eight wicket win at Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge after bowling out the home side for 85.
But Stretton 2nd went down by five wickets against Upton after being dismissed for 152, Farhad Quayum hitting 44 and Umer Zeb 29.
Appleton were rolled over for 87 at Chester County Officers, Graeme Rowlands and Alex Wright top scoring with 19 each. The home side cantered to 88-2.
Glazebury hit 177 at Trafford Metrovics – which was more than they could have expected when they were 97-8.  Gary Moores hit 41 and last pair Hakeem Dahou, 37 not out and Steve Howarth 13 adding 47 for the last wickets.
Their heroics were to no avail however as the home side cruised to 178-2.
Glazebury 2nd fought out a draw in the derby game with Appleton 3rd at Hurst Lane.
The visitors batted first and hit a formidable 225-5, Jim Warham hammering a blistering 71, including six sixes, opener David Hurst hitting 66 not out and Ed Sygrove 38.
Sean Caine and Wayne Hargreaves took two wickets each.
Glazebury didn’t look like getting the runs but reached 163-6, Hargreaves hitting an unbeaten 53, Ian Black 30 and Phil McCue 48.  Jim Warham took 4-13 to complete a fine all-round performance.
Appleton 4th hit 193-4 against Trafford Metrovics but still lost by four wickets.Paul White hit 80 not out and McShane 3-27.