Grappers get the best possible start

GRAPPENHALL started the new cricket season in the best possible way – with a 60-run victory over Marple at Broad Lane in the Cheshire County League.
Batting first, they were all out for 213 in 54-5 overs, opener Adam Roylance top scoring with 59 and wicket keeper Liam Parkington hitting 44. Skipper Richard Green chipped in with a useful 28.
Marple were bowled out for 153, undone by the pace of Aussie Josh McLelland who took 5-62, looking even more impressive than last season in his first stint with Grappers. Gaz Burns took 2-35 and Jack Critchley 3-21.
There was a disappointing result for Grappenhall 2nd at Marple however.
Batting first they totalled 250-9, with opener Iain Barnes hitting a superb 108 and Iain Wright contributing 44. But when the home side batted, things began to go wrong despite Al bert Pennington taking 5-79. Marple cantered to 253-6 to claim victory over a side that fancy themselves as title contenders this summer.
Warrington slumped to a four wicket defeat at the hands of Weaverham, Ashley Scholes top scoring with 23 out of a meagre 89.
Kyle Adams bowled with his usual fire to take 3-42 and Scholes took 2-20 but the home side reached 94-6.
Warrington 2nd started their campaign with a six wicket victory over Timperley, who batted first at Walton Lea and were held to 171-9, Brendan Morris taking 3-26 and Luke Farrell 2-32. Warrington replied with 172-4, Will Fleetwood 37 amd Vikram Palanisamy 37 not out.
On Sunday, the Cheshire County League’s Twenty20 competition got under way with a “derby” clash between Grappenhall and Warrington.
Grappenhall batted first and reached 118-8, Ben Bodha striking a stylish 57 from 50 balls.
Warrington got off to a terrible start with their opener clean bowled first ball and then slumped to 13-3. They never recovered and could only reach 80-7.
In the Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park claimed the honours in a close fought game at Woodford.
The home side batted first and hit 167-7 with Phil Tonge taking 3-58. Lymm replied with 168-9, N Din top scoring with 49, B Phillips hitting 37 and M Carr 27.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Appleton were held to a draw by Wilmslow who declared on 224-8. Appleton were never up with the run-rate and finished on 196-5.
Appleton 3rd were tumbled out for 60 by Stalybridge St Pauls, Marcus Pepper top scoring with 18. They made a promising start with the ball, Patrick Traynor taking two quick wickets for 17 but then Stalybridge coasted to their target without further loss.
Stretton inflicted a heavy defeat on Ellesmere Port, totalling 221 before dismissing the opposition for 104 in just 25.5 overs.
It was a disappointing start to the season for Glazebury, who were tumbled out for 50 by Holmes Chapel who then went on to win by eight wickets.
Glazebury 2nd won by 27 runs against Audlem. Batting first they were dismissed for 145, Sam Stanier 49, Phil McCue 21. Then Christopher Ayre took 4-30 and Matthew Shailer 3-29 as Audlem were bowled out for 118.