Dream start to the season for teenage cricketer

THE cricket season got off to a dream start for 17-year-old Grappenhall batsman Arthur Pennington as he hit his first-ever 1st XI century as his club raced to victory over Elworth in the Cheshire Cup.
He hammered an unbeaten 108 against a strong bowling attack as Grappers got the better of a closely fought game at Broad Lane yesterday (Sunday).
Adam Roylance and Pete Barnes chipped in with 20s and Ben Bodha gave valuable support with a patient 28 not out at the end as Grappers overtook the formidable target of 196-9 posted by the visitors.
Earlier, Sam Guest and Arran McCabe had both picked up three wickets to bowl Grappenhall back into the game after the visitors had hammered 120 without loss off 25 overs.
The win served as some consolation for a disappointing defeat in the first Cheshire County League game the previous day – when the youthful Pennington had again put in a useful performance.
Opening the innings he hit 30 as wickets fell regularly at the other end.
Grappers were tumbled out for 119 at Bramhall on a wicket that favoured the spin bowlers. Gaz Burns swung the bat at the end to hit 42 but no other batsman offered much resistance.
Grappers needed early wickets and thanks to new spin bowler Raki Rao picking up four wickets they briefly had some hope. But Bramhall’s mid-order steadied the ship and the home side eventually won by five wickets.
Grappenhall 2nd won a remarkable low-scoring game at Broad Lane on their return to the Premier League, dismissing visitors Hyde for 69 in only 24 overs. Will Metcalfe took 5-18 and skipper Ross Arrowsmith and spinner Matt Titchard bagged two each.
Warrington started their season with a seven wicket win at Mobberley.
Ashley Scholes took 7-26 as the home side subsided to 124 all out and James Fletcher took 2-30.
Scholes was also in form with the bat, hitting an unbeaten 71 as Warrington raced to 129-3. Mal Agar hit 28.
Warrington 2nd slumped to a heavy defeat against Stockport Georgians, crashing out for 68 after the visitors had hit 205-9.
Warrington 3rd won by seven wickets at Kingsley, where the home side were dismissed for 160 and Warrington replied with 164-3.
In the Cheshire Cricket League, Appleton’s game at Old Parkonians was cancelled because the pitch had not recovered from heavy rain a few days previously.
But Appleton 2nd enjoyed a big win over Christleton at Lyhons Lane. Batting first, they hit 159-7, David Lomas 48 and Bob McDonald 31 and then rolled over the visitors for 46, Andy Thomas taking 6-10, including a hat-trick, and Edward Pugh 2-18.
Appleton 3rd were held to a draw at Styal after batting first and reaching 163-5, Ed Sygrove 35, Simon Tomlinson 37 not out and Jonathan Owen 39 not out. Styal were 100-5 at the close.
Appleton 4th were beaten by seven wickets by Knutsford.
Asked to bat first, Appleton reached 118-9, Paul White 30 and David Derbyshire 31. Knutsford were 119 at the close, Michael Cumberland taking 2-29.
Stretton came out on top in a low scoring encounter with Winnington Park, who could only muster 41 in reply to Stretton’s 75 all out. A Zulfiqoz, 6-25, was the pick of the Stretton bowlers.
Stretton 2nd were beaten by five wickets Cholmondeley after being bowled out for 103.
Glazebury won b y 35 runs at Bowdon Vale after totalling 121, Jack Warhurst hitting 34 and Wayne Hargreaves 40.
The pace attack of Sam Stanier, 5-23, Warhurst 3-21 and Dave Acton, 2-33, saw off the home side for 86.