Last ball drama brings victory

A BOUNDARY on the last ball of the match gave Grappenhall victory in an exciting finish to their Chapel Press Cheshire County League game with Upton.
It was a game which for most of the time appeared to be a lost cause.
But a careful innings of 46 not out by skipper Steve Titchard and some big hitting by pace bowler Gary Burns produced an unlikely three wicket victory.
Winning the toss, Grappenhall decided to bowl first and dismissed Upton in the 50th over for 175 – a total that should have been less but for indifferent fielding and some wayward bowling. Burns took 3-24.
Grappenhall were in trouble at 39-3. Richard Green, 21 and Ian Hall, 25, both got started but failed to capitalise.
Titchard batted carefully and within himself but it was when he was joined by Burns that a partnership developed.
Even so, at 96-7 victory seemed unlikely and when 52 was still required from the last five overs, it even more distant.
But Burns then produced some tremendous power hitting and, with three required from the last ball, hammered a superb four through the covers to reach his half-century and win the match.
Grappenhall 2nd travelled to Upton and were asked to field first. Tight bowling and good fielding kept the run rate down and the home side were all out for 140.
Neil Titchard took 4-19 and Matt Titchard 3-53.
Responding, Grappenhall got off to a bad start with Andy Wright bowled for one. Mike Holden came in and with Adam Roylance took the score to 88 before Roylance went lbw for 62 off 41 balls.
Harry Worley then took over, hitting 45 from 24 balls and with steady Holden scoring 24 the game was over in 26.3 overs, Grappenhall finishing on 142-2
Travelling to Alderley Edge, Grappenhall 3rd lost the toss and were asked to bat first. Runs were hard to get and the side was back in the pavilion for a modest 115 in 41 overs, Luke Watson top scoring with 19.
The home side must have thought they had only to bat steadily to take the match. But Jack Critchley had other ideas, taking a wicket and finishing with figures of 8-20 to dismiss Alderley for 62 in 20 overs. He was well supported by Chris France, with 2-36.
Warrington remain rooted at the foot of the table after suffering another defeat, this time at the hands of Heaton Mersey
After a poor start they were struggling at 59-5 and although Liam Heaphey, 42 and Steve Heydon, 53, enabled them to reach the comparative respectability of 163-8, this was never going to be enough for Mersey’s strong batting line-up.
They coasted to 165-4.
Warrington 3rd were beaten by four wickets at Macclesfield.
Opener Tim Rothwell carried his bat for 84 as Warrington totalled 196-9. Macclesfield replied with 197-6.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Stretton were unable to force victory over Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge despite good innings from Mark Critchley, 45 and Ben Clissold, 51.
Stretton finished on 162-9 and Ladybridge replied with 142-5, Clissold taking 3-42.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Rylands chalked up a five wicket win over Woodford.
Sean Malone took 5-42 as Woodford were dismissed for 171 and then Peter Knowles, 48 and Richard Buck 58, dominated the bowling to carry Rylands to 175-5.
Appleton had an exciting one wicket victory over Wilmslow Wayfarers who were dismissed for 120. Appleton’s last pair were at the wicket with the scores level – but claimed victory with a four.
Appleton 3rd lost by seven wickets at Woodford. Kevan Lomas, 30 and Dave Darbyshire, 25, top scored for Appleton.
Glazebury lost out in an incredible finish to their game against Audlem at Hurst Lane. Dave Acton took four wickets and Sam Stanier three as Audlem were dismissed for 97. Glazebury started well in reply with Ian McCue hitting 25.
But a collapse reduced them to 47-6 and then 77-9 until Callum Morgan launched a blistering counterattack.
With Glazebury on 92, he was caught on the boundary playing a lofted shot that would have won the match but for the leaping catch. Morgan finished on 22.
Glazebury 2nd went down by 65 runs at Capenhurst after dismissing the home side for 129. Chris Ayre took 4-20 and Mark Rowan 3-8. Glazebury were dismissed for 64, only Wayne Hargreaves, 22, reaching double figures.