GRAPPENHALL’S bid for promotion to the Chapel Press Cheshire County League Premier division took another knock when they could only hang on for a draw at lowly Upton.
The home side batted first and set a testing target when they declared on 229-4.
Grappenhall’s bowlers toiled all afternoon, with none taking more than one wicket.
When Grappenhall replied their usually strong batting line-up faltered.
Only Luke McCoy, 70, made much of an impression and it was left to the lower order to hang on for the draw, wicket keeper Mike Sambell hitting 20 and skipper Steve Titchard hitting a gritty 44 not out.
The result left Grappenhall third in the table and while there is still plenty of time to get back on top, Grappers are clearly going to find things more difficult than their early season form suggested.
Heavy rain hit many local matches, with mid-morning downpours leaving some grounds flooded.
Warrington 3rd hit 183 at Macclesfield, with Jan Derek Stoker hitting 59 and SamHoughton 33. The home side lost seven wickets reaching their target, despite some good bowling from Wesley Charlton, 3-39.
Stretton 3rd XI took at pasting at the hands of Oulton Park who batted first and totalled 193. Stretton were tumbled out for 96.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park went down by 70 runs at Aston, where the home side declared on 202-5. Lymm were dismissed for 132.
Stretton were all out for 196 against Old Parkonians who coasted to victory for the loss of five wickets.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Glazebury’s promotion charge suffered a setback when they suffered an inexplicable batting collapse at Ellesmere Port.
The home side set a target of 172, never looking too comfortable against the Glazebury attack of David Acton, 4-59, Jon Gibbons, 2-42 and Rhys Marsh, 2-16.
But Glazebury’s run of 10 weeks without defeat when they were shot out for 53, only Phil McCue, 10, reaching double figures. It was Glazebury’s second defeat of the season and although they still top the table it provided a wake-up call – particularly as next week they play Trinity – the only other team to beat them.
Glazebury 2nd also suffered a mauling as they were dismissed for 44 at Hurst Lane. Ellesmere Port replied with 47-3.
Appleton’s run of good form continued with a 17-run victory over Stalybridge St Pauls at Lyons Lane.
Eitchy Rashid hit a useful 58 as Appleton struggled for runs. At one stage they were 126-7 but recovered to reach 178, largely due to Chris McClellan’s 32 not out.
The visitors looked on course for victory but lost their last four wickets for 24 runs to finish on 161. Edward Pugh took 5-52 and Tom Lomas 3-24.
Appleton 4th strolled to a seven wicket victory over Langley after dismissing them for 54, Danny Oliver 4-14, Michael Cumberland 5-27.
Stuart McIntosh top scored with 26 not out as Appleton replied with 55-3.
Andy Harrison, 4-22 and Sean Malone, 4-35, were on form with the ball as Rylands dismissed Wilmslow Wayfarers for 86. Rylands lost four wickets when they replied but won by six wickets with Eddie Platt 38 not out and Malone 20 not out.
Rylands 2nd were dismissed for 111 but only lost after a nail-biting finale as Wayfarers snatched a one wicket win on 112-9.
Women’s cricket
WARRINGTON went down by five wickets against Walmley after getting off to a disastrous start.
The first six wickets went down for 43 runs and it was largely due to a gritty 25 in 25 overs from Sarah McCann that Warrington eventually reached a modest 141-9.
Lorna Thomas took 3-23 as the Birmingham side replied, but this was not enough to stop them reaching 143-5.
In the final of the Cheshire Women’s League knock-out Twenty20 competition, Appleton Tigers ended Chester Boughton Hall Deemons’ three-year domination of the contest by the narrowest of margins.
Appleton batted first and reached 102-6, Natalie Lyons hitting 26 and Emma Barlow, 25, both retired.
Ellie Barnett took 3-18 as Chester replied but with only two runs needed in the final over it looked as if the Deemons were again to get their name on the trophy.
But 16-year-old Lyons celebrated her call-up to the Cheshire squad by bowling a double wicket maiden to earn Appleton the victory.
