Grappers’ survival hopes dealt a blow

GRAPPENHALL went down by 60 runs at home to Didsbury – a defeat that dealt a blow to their hopes to avoid relegation.
The visitors batted first and although Sam Guest wheeled away for 17 overs of slow left arm “dobbers” to pick up three wickets, reached a challenging total of 236.
Grappers lost early wickets in reply and despite James McCoy’s 66 at a run-a-ball, no-one else really got going. Brother Luke McCoy hit 22 but the last wicket fell with only 176 on the board and 10 overs to spare.
The result meant Grappers dropped to eighth in the division so much will depend on their visit to Bramhall, another team in the relegation mix, on Saturday.
Grappenhall 2nd, however, remain in the promotion places after a remarkable victory at Widnes, where the home side were bowled out for 40, Ross Arrowsmith taking 7-17. Grappers knocked off the runs without losing a wicket.
Grappers 3rd won their final game of the season at home to Hyde, restricting the visitors to 189-7. It was a tough afternoon for bowlers in the sun, but skipper David Seed picked up three wickets.
Iain Wright hit 121 not out and youngster Alex Perry, 36, took Grappers to victory with 14 overs to spare.
Warrington travelled to Bollington and held the home side in check for most of their innings until the tail hit out and plundered 100 runs in the last 10 overs to reach a respectable total of 189-9.
James Rudd, 4-57, Brad McIntosh, 3-50 and Johan Els, 2-43 were the main wicket takers.
Warrington could not put a partnership together and were bowled out for 91, Aaron Soni top scoring with 28 coming in at number 10.
Richard Heaney, 14 and McIntosh, 13, were the only others to reach double figures.
Warrington 2nd won by three wickets at home to Brooklands, dismissing the visitors for 106 with Phil Whelan, 5-19 and Chia Gadi8palli, 3-27 making the most of a damp wicket.
The home side also found the wicket testing but a partnership of 40 between Isaac Webster, 29 and Ian Sleigh, 18, moved them close and it was left to the experienced pair of Simon Batey, 19 not out, and Tim Rothwell, two not out, to steer the side home.
Warrington 3rd drew their game at Bunbury after the home side were bowled out for 184, Mike Fagan-Hall taking 4-54 and Jon Burgess 3-40. Warrington could not match the run rate with Billy Gilbert, 89 not out and Arshan Dadrualla, 24 not out, playing out a draw at 148-2.
Lymm Oughtrington Park crashed to a humiliating defeat at home to Stockport Georgians, subsiding to 40 all out in 24.5 overs after being asked to bat first. The visitors hit off the runs for the loss of three wickets.
But Lymm 2nd earned a draw at Romiley after the home side had batted first and reached 196-5, Graham Waumsley 2-28.
Lymm replied with 141-8, Jake Hughes hitting 40, Arvind P:illai 28 not out and Tony Spaven 24.
Stretton won by three wickets after travelling to Wirral and dismissing the h ome side for 114.
But Stretton 2nd lost narrowly at home to Oxton after being dismissed for 108 and seeing the visitors scrape a one wicket win.
Appleton were held to a draw at Lyons Lane after posting 207-5 but being unable to dislodge Wistaston Village’s last pair as the visitors finished on 134-9.
Travelling to Oxton, Appleton 2nd batted first and posted a formidable 222-7, David Lomas hitting 62, Danny Oliver 55 and Alex Wright 33.
Oxton could not match their scoring rate but still had to wickets left when the overs ran out with them on 171. Andy Thomas took 3-62.
Appleton 4th took on Bowdon Vale and hit 152-8, Marcus Pepper 45 and John Portger 31.
The visitors were bnowled out for 87 with Peter McShane taking 2-7 and Edward Pugh 2-14.