Worst batting performance of the season

GRAPPENHALL turned in their worst batting performance of the season to lose by 51 runs to lowly Bowdon at Broad Lane in the Vivio Cheshire County League premier division.
It was a day for the bowlers and, on winning the toss, Grappers should have had the advantage when they inserted the visitors.
At first it appeared a good decision as Bowdon were struggling on 41-6 and Aussie paceman Josh McClelland, 3-25, bowling well. But the visitors fought back and managed to reach 121 – a total that should have still been well within reach and only two runs an over required.
But Grappers’ normally strong batting line-up collapsed with only one of the first eight reaching double figures. A bright and breezy 22 from Sam Baxter and a resolute 10 from Jack Critchley restored the situation from 44-8 to 70 all out – an embarrassingly low total.
Grappers now have just four games left to play and, at seven in the table, are looking a very different side to the one which was challenging for the leadership only a few weeks ago.
In the 2nd XI stakes, things look even worse with Grappers facing the possibility of relegation after losing away at Cheadle.
The home side hit 168-9, Albert Pennington taking 6-63 and Matt Titchard 3-25. But Grappenhall could only muster 150, despite sound innings from Jamie Bye, 37 and Iain Wright, 33.
Grappenhall 3rd – who are also not far above the relegation zone – got the better of a draw at fellow-strugglers Toft.
Batting first, Grappenhall reached 161-5, Albert Pennington hitting 50 and his 13-year-old brother Arthur a well-crafted 38.
Toft never looked in the hunt after losing a couple of quick wickets and ended up on 115-7.
Warrington took a pasting at Tattenhall, who batted first and reached 243-9 despite Brad McIntosh’s 6-83 and 3-72 from Kyle Adams. Warrington were bowled out for 123.
But Warrington 2nd romped home to a nine wicket win over the Tattenhall second string, Ryan Swart taking 6-29 as the visitors were tumbled out for 86. Charlie McElroy hit 51 not out as Warrington replied with 87-1.
In the TACS Partnership Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park enjoyed a six wicket win over Disley at Oughtrington Lane.
The visitors were dismissed for 126, Terry Scholes taking 5-49 and J Roberts 3-24. Lymm replied with 129-4, Phil tong 37.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Appleton boosted their hopes of a top two place in the first division with an exciting two-run win over The Groves.
Batting first at Lyons Lane, Appleton reached 176-7, Ed Sygrove hitting 56 not out. The Wirral side were bowled out for 174, Amir Rashid taking 3-62 and Neil Thompson 3-29.
Glazebury eased their relegation worries with a good win over Old Parkonians at Hurst Lane.
Batting first, Glazebury hit 181, Wayne Hargreaves 49, Chris Lord 39. Old Parkonians were back in the pavilion for 108, veteran Jon Gibbons bagging 4-29.
Glazebury 2nd went down at Maritime, on the Wirral. The home side hit 155, Gerard Southworth 5-33 and Glazebury were bowled out for a disappointing 125, David Nicholson top scoring with a lusty 40
Stretton went down at Wilmslow where the home side batted first and reached 127-9, I Malik 3-28, A Zubain 3-37. Stretton were dismissed for 105, Amir Khan top scoring with 38.
But Stretton 2nd triumphed by four wickets at Knutsford where the home side hit 185-3 only to see Streeton race to 186-6, skipper Jason Taylor hitting an unbeaten 82.