GRAPPENHALL made it three wins out of three in the Chapel Press Cheshire County League as they defeated Upton by five wickets at Broad Lane.
The visitors started well, reaching 62 without loss. But then Andy Tetlow, 3-34, skipper Steve Titchard, 2-18 and Luke McCoy, 2-11, reduced them to 131 all out.
Grappenhall lost a wicket with just four runs on the board but in-form batsman Ian Wright hit an unbeaten 68 to carry the side to 132-5.
Grappenhall 2nd’s game at Birkenhead Park ended in a draw – but only after an exciting last ball drama.
The home side totalled 152 thanks largely to the bowling of Matt Titchard who went for three fours off his first three deliveries but went on to take 6-44. Jimmy Edgerton took 2-34 and Sam Guest 2-40.
Sam Guest hit an unbeaten 29, Mike Sambell, 27 and Will Sharp, 22 when Grappenhall replied. When the last ball arrived, Grappers were on 148-7 which mean a six would bring them victory or a four a tie.
Tension mounted as the bowler ran up for the last ball, the batsman lashed out – and connected with thin air!
Grappenhall 3rd reached 194-5 in their first league game of the season, with Jack Critchley hitting a fine, unbeaten 100. But opponents Didsbury won by four wickets, despite Critchley again showing form with 3-56 and Ian Hall taking 2-52.
Warrington’s unbeaten run came to and end when they went down by two wickets at Marple.
Batting first, Warrington hit 204-8, James Hughes 36 and Chris Kirby 49. The home side replied with 208-8, Ryan Swart taking 3-18 and Steve Heydon 2-69.
Warrington 3rd defeated Macclesfield 3rd by 10 wickets after winning the toss and deciding to bowl first.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park coasted to a seven wicket win over Aston, after dismissing them for 80. Steve Knowles hit 40 as Lymm replied with 84-3.
Stretton defeated Old Parkonians by three wickets, hitting 177-7 in reply to Parkonians’ 173 all out.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Appleton had a comfortable victory over Stalybridge despite posting a modest 147 when they batted first. In-form Tom Lomas followed up his century of the previous week with 48 and Chris Grumley hit 39.
Stalybridge were dismissed for 115, Ed Pugh taking 4-25 and Lee Stoll 2-25.
Appleton 2nd went down by four wickets against Didsbury after being bowled out for 130, Tom MacIntosh 37. Danny Oliver was the pick of the Appleton bowlers with 2-33.
Marcus Pepper, 30 and Dave Darbyshire, 20, were the mainstay of Appleton 3rd modest 98 all out but it was not enough to trouble Chelford, who won by three wickets.
Appleton 4th suffered a massive defeat at the hands of Langley, who hit 207 and then tumbled Appleton out for 71. Aamir Rashid, with 3-35, was the only Appleton player to take away much to remember from the game.
Rylands marched to a fine victory over Wilmslow Wayfarers.
They declared on 192-7, skipper Richard Buck hitting 43 and Tony Huddart 38, and then dismissed the opposition for 61. Sean Malone took 5-15, Buck 2-6 and Sam Mulholland 2-20.
Glazebury enjoyed a comfortable victory over Ellesmere Port.
Batting first, Glazebury recovered from 55-6 to reach 159. Callum Morgan, 37, wicket keeper Jack Warhurst, 44, and Dean Lord, 23, were the main run-getters.
Ellesmere Port were tumbled out for 84, Sam Stanier taking 4-12, Rhys Marsh 3-12 and Kyle Keeble, 2-24.
Glazebury 2nd went down dismally against Ellesmere Port 2nd, posting 115, of which opener Jon Gibbons made 43 and then failing to make any impression on the opposing openers who hit off the runs without loss
Women’s cricket
WARRINGTON went down by 68 runs in their opening match in the Premier League North when they took on Leeds-based Old Modernians.
The Leeds side hit 163-8, with Kate Skelhorne taking 4-15. Warrington could only muster 95.
In the Cheshire Women’s League, Appleton chalked up a useful two wicket victory over the strong Chester Boughton Hall side.
Chester were dismissed for a meagre 51, Natalie Long taking 4-10. Then Appleton in turn found runs hard to get in a game dominated by the bowlers but scraped home with two wickets to spare.
