GRAPPENHALL made a safe passage into the third round of the Cheshire Cup following a 10-run victory over Rode Park.
The Warrington side elected to bat first on a good wicket with fast outfield and made a solid start through openers Liam Parkinson and Alan Brady.
Former Lancashire star Steve Titchard contributed a magnificent 97 to the total of 270 along with 48 not out from Ian Barnes.
Rode Park started off spectacularly, being well ahead of the required run-rate by the midway stage of their innings.
Grappenhall’s attack soon got up to speed and matched the explosive batting, which was supported by good work in the outfield.
Excellent contributions from Will Sharp, Andy Tetlow and young spinner Sam Baxter, saw the home side eventually fall short by just 10 runs.
Grappenhall are now likely to face Didsbury in the third round.
The Broad Lane club’s Saturday games in the Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League were rained off – as was Warrington’s home game with Upton.
In the Meller Braggins League, Lymm Oughtrington Park went down by four wickets at Barrow.
Batting first, Lymm hit 160-6 declared. But the home side reached their target for the loss of six wickets.
Stretton hit 159-8 declared at Stockport and had the home side struggling at 106-7, Critchley taking 5-27 when the match ended as a draw.
Appleton clung on for a draw in their Cheshire Cricket Alliance game with Knutsford thanks to some determined batting from the middle and lower order.
Knutsford had batted first and totalled a modest 132-9, Pete Worrall taking 4-46.
But Appleton got off to a disastrous start when they replied and it was left skipper Dave Hurst, 16, Andrew Tyres, 20 and Jon-Derek Stoker, 22 to restore some respectability to the scorecard. At the end, Appleton were hanging on at 100-9.
Appleton 2nd also had to be satisfied with a draw after some determined defensive batting by home side Capenhurst denied them victory.
Batting first on a wet but lively wicket, Appleton declared on 198-6. Opener Steve Reece hit 62, Chris Grumley and swift 50 and Gareth Bailey 33. Capenhurst started brightly but after three wickets fell in rapid succession were never in the hunt. They finished on 137-9, Ryan Swart taking 3-29 and Chris Tomlinson 3-53.
Appleton 3rd enjoyed an exciting two-run victory over Woodford.
Jon Darbyshire top scored with 24 as Appleton hit 117 and then followed up with 5-41 as Woodford were dismissed for 115. Michael Ormston took 4-32.
Appleton 4th lost by two runs at Langley, losing their last wicket on 138.
Glazebury picked up their first away win of the season at Radbroke Hall.
The home side were dismissed for 114, David Acton taking 3-22 and Andy Calvert 4-32. Glazebury coasted to a comfortable eight wicket victory with Gary Dunlop hitting an unbeaten 54 and Dave Mason 34.
Glazebury 2nd registered their first win of the season when they beat Eastham by three wickets at Hurst Lane.
Eastham batted first and hit 175-8. Glazebury responded with 176-6, skipper Andy Durrington hammering a belligerent 90 and Wayne Hargreaves 51.
Glazebury 3rd went down by six wickets at Skelmersdale.
Batting first they hit 126 and the home side replied with 130-4..
Rylands carried on their winning ways with a seven wicket victory at Rostherne where the home side were tumbled out for 59, Sean Malone taking 7-19. Ryland replied with 63-3.
