GRAPPENHALL’S title drive in the first division of the Chapel Press Cheshire County League suffered a setback when they went down by 19 runs to struggling Heaton Mersey.
The result – from which Grappenhall gained just nine points – leaves the Broad Lane side still top of the table, but with a reduced lead of just 12 points.
Skipper Steve Titchard is still unavailable through injury, so Richard Green was again in charge and on winning the toss decided to put the home side in.
At 7-2, this looked a good decision, but Mersey reached 89 before another wicket fell and eventually finished on a respectable, but very achievable 197. Dean Riches, 4-42 and Gary Burns, 3-64 were the most effective bowlers.
Grappenhall made a disastrous start to their reply, losing two wickets in their first over.
A partnership between Luke McCoy, 57 and Green, 28 added 82 and Adam Roylance hit a useful 33. But the middle and lower order fell away and Grappenhall finished on a disappointing 178.
However, Grappenhall progressed into the regional final of the National Cup on Sunday with a 38-run victory over Eagley, of the Bolton League, at Broad Lane.
Grappenhall decided to bat first and posted a challenging total of 253-8. Ian Wright top scored with a solid 66 and Will Sharp hit 42.
Eagley made a solid start with an opening partnership of 86 but when 17-year-old slow left armed Adam Roylance was brought into the attack he turned the match on its head, taking 7-51 in a nine over spell. Eagley finished on 215.
Warrington travelled to Congleton and amassed 288. Tom Jones hit 80, James Hughes 73, Malcolm Agar 45 and Dan Pascoe 32 not out.
Congleton made a spirited reply but were eventually dismissed for 217, Steve Heydon taking 3-34, former Appleton bowler Ryan Swart 3-30 and Robert Batey 4-54.
Warrington 2nd went down against Middlewich after batting first and totalling 213-8. Malcolm Gwatkin hit 64 and David Baxter 60. This proved to too little as Middlewich cantered to 216-5, despite Jordan Mitchell taking 3-33 and the evergreen Paul Agar picking u p 2-57.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Glazebury maintain their title push with a resounding victory over Norbury at Hurst Lane.
Batting first, Glazebury declared on 234-9, Ian McCue top scoring with 83, Dave Mason contributing a useful 35and Callum Morgan hitting 27.
Norbury were bowled out for 166, Sam Stanier taking 4-27 and Andrew Calvert 3-67.
Glazebury 2nd’s disappointing season continued with a heavy defeat at Haslington where the home side took advantage of a good batting strip to rack up 269-6 before declaring. Kyle Keeble took 3-63 and Paul Charlton 2-25.
Glazebury, reduced to nine men in the second half of the match by injuries and illness were all out for 123, Andy Durrington top scoring with 21, and Charlton and Matthew Shailer hitting 19 each.
Glazebury 3rd lost out by one run in an exciting finish at Newton-le-Willows. The home side totalled 163 and Glazebury fell just one run short after tea.
A depleted Appleton side slumped to its heaviest defeat of the season, being dismissed for a paltry 64 by The Groves. Andrew Tyrer top scored with 19 and Stuart McIntosh, promoted from the 4th XI, contributed a gritty 14.
The Appleton bowlers responded with spirit, Edward Pugh picking up 2-25, but with such a small total to defend could do little. The Groves strolled to 66-3.
Appleton 2nd had a resounding 10-wicket victory over The Groves on the Wirral however.
The home side were bowled out for 111, Duane Jones taking 5-19 and Will Ralston 3-6.
Appleton’s openers knocked off the runs comfortable, Ralston following up his bowling exploits with 65 not out and Paul Dempster hitting 31 not out.
Appleton bowed out of the cup when they were beaten by two wickets at Haslington.
Batting first, Appleton were held to 159-6, Richard Clarke 36, Gareth Bailey 38 and Eitchy Rashid 33. Haslington replied with 160-8, Will Ralston taking 2-30 and Chris Tomlinson 2-18.
Women’s cricket
APPLETON stretched their lead at the top of the Cheshire Women’s League with a 10-wicket victory over Oakmere.
Despite 39 not out from Emily Harrison and 34 from Hayley Agnew, Oakmere managed only 127-6, with Chloe Page the top bowler for Appleton with 3-9.
Appleton skipper Emma Barlow hit her second half-century of the season, finishing unbeaten on 72, and Heather Peters was also undefeated on 25 as victory was achieved with nine overs to spare.
Appleton’s position at the top of the league now looks even better as Poynton were unable to raise a side for their match at Chester Boughton Hall.
Unbeaten Appleton lead by 38 points with all other teams having lost at least two.
