GRAPPENHALL’S mid-season crisis continued with another disappointing result – a home defeat at the hands of lowly Middlewich.
The Broad Lane side remain second in the Chapel Press Cheshire County League first division, but with Macclesfield above them and Widnes having a game in hand, they desperately need a win to re-establish themselves at the top.
First, Grappenhall’s bowlers failed to make much impact as Middlewich reached 208-5.
But even so, it was not an unrealistic target had Grappers’ strong batting line-up performed at their best and an all out total of 166 was disappointing. James McCoy top scored with 41 and although several other batsmen made solid starts they did not go on to produce match-winning scores. Gaz Burns made 33, Ian Barnes-Hall 28 and Adam Roylance 21.
Grappenhall 2nd gained a valuable win at Middlewich, however, dismissing the home side for 128 with Neil Titchard taking 6-41 and Jack Critchley 3-14.
Will Sharp hit 37, Alan Brady 32 not out and Mike Holden 31 not out as Grappenhall reached 132 for the loss of just two wickets.
Grappenhall 3rd went down by six wickets against Marple, despite a gritty innings from 15-year-old Martin France.
The youngsters top scored with 66 as Grappenhall were dismissed for 158. Tom Roberts offered good support with 31. Ashley Scholes, 2-28, took two quick wickets but Marple strolled to 161-4.
A fine century from Malcolm Agar was the feature of Warrington’s 239-7 at Mobberley. Dan Pascoe contributed a useful, unbeaten 54 and then followed it up with 3-68 as the home side batted. Steve Heydon, 2-24 and Robert Batey, 2-46 both bowled well but Mobberley were able to hang on for a draw at 192-8.
Warrington 2nd cantered to a seven wicket victory over visiting Irby, who were dismissed for 177. McElroy topped scored for Warrington with 87 not out.
Warrington 4th were bowled out for a meagre 65 at Neston, where the home side claimed victory with 68-3, Peter Rydzkowski taking 2-29 for Warrington.
Warrington 5th earned a five wicket win at Bramhall, restricting the home side to 177-9 and then hitting 178-5.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Appleton came out on top by just 11 runs in the “derby” match with Rylands at Lyons Lane.
Appleton batted first after winning the toss and reached 188-9, David Hurst hitting 52, and Tom Lomas 51. Andy Harrison took 5-28 for Rylands.
The visitors were dismissed for 177 with just three balls remaining. Skipper Richard Buck hit a fine 90 but Chris Grumley took 4-42 for Appleton to clinch the match.
Appleton 2nd also enjoyed a good win against Haslington.
Steve Reece hit 38, Gareth Baileyu 38 and Mike Arnold 37 as Appleton posted 174-6. Haslington were never in the hunt, bowled out for 112, Stuart Bate taking 4-33, Sam Swift 2-13 and Chris Tomlinson 2-12.
Appleton 3rd made it a clean sweep for the Lyons Lane club, Paul Grumley taking 6-18 to dismiss Wilmslow Wayfarers for 117 After Appleton had totalled 122, Dave Darbyshire hitting 27 and Marcus Pepper 22.
Glazebury maintained their drive for promotion with a five wicket victory at Trinity.
The home side reached 185-8, Rhys Marsh taking 3-17. Glazebury’s reply got off to a poor start with a couple of quick wickets falling. Then Dave Mason, 56, Jack Warhurst, 47 not out and Ian McCue, 28, shone with the bat as Glazebury reached 187-5.
Glazebury 2nd also won, Dave Nicholson taking 5-40 and Shaun Conroy 4-9 to dismiss Hartford for 101.
David Gibson hit 36 not out, Michael Nutkins 23 and Mark Rowan 20 as Glazebury replied with 102-7.
Rylands 2nd got home by two wickets when they entertained Stalybridge St Pauls.
The visitors were held to 139-8, G Sujith taking 3-32, Ben Sheild 2-32 and Sean Peters 2-28.
Rylands replied with 142-8, Alan Barker 43 and Mike Stanton 22 not out.
Women’s cricket
Appleton suffered their first defeat in any competition this year with a 39 run defeat to Oakmere.
Hayley Agnew continued her recent good form with 62 and Helen Wardlaw made 42 in an Oakmere total of 148. Chloe Page returned the league’s best bowling analysis of the year with 6-25, but ended up on the losing side as her team folded to 109 all out. Anni Rashid top scored with 23 and Jemma Bentley took 3-13.
Oakmere, third in the table but with a game in hand, may now be Appleton’s strongest challengers for the league title.
