Crunch match in title chase

GRAPPENHALL face a crunch match this weekend if they are to maintain their challenge for promotion to the Premier division of the Chapel Press Cheshire County League.
Currently lying third in the first division, they will face second placed Macclesfield at Broad Lane.
Grappers needed a win at Christleton but could only manage a draw, earning them 16 points to stay in touch with the top two.
Batting first, Jimmy McCoy, 24 and Richard Green put on 48 for the first wicket. The next wicket fell at 100 when Ian wright was out for 22 and almost immediate Green fell for 44.
Luke McCoy, 38 and Ian Hall, 21 shared in a stand of 55 and the momentum was maintained by Gaz Burns with 23. In the end, a useful total of 207- 9 was achieved, with maximum batting points in the bag.
Christleton were in trouble at 56-5 but the lower order rallied and, helped by a few missed difficult catches, managed to deny Grappenhall victory. Burns took 3-38 and skipper Steve Titchard 3-60.
Grappenhall bowed out of the T20 competition losing to Premiership side Oulton Park in the quarter finals. They batted first and could only muster a modest 124, despite Richard Green’s 49. The target was never enough and Oullton Park made a lively start and reached their target in the 18th over for the loss of two wickets.
Grappenhall 2nd took on Warrington 2nd in the derby game at Broad Lane and, on winning the toss, decided to bowl. It looked a good decision as Warrington were dismissed for 164. But the normally strong Grappers line-up never looked like getting the runs and the side were dismissed for 92.
Grappenhall 3rd were held to a draw at Heaton Mersey after batting first and reaching 180-9 – a good score on the day. Mark Tyerman hit 64, Mike Moss 31 and Paul Tyerman 20.
Heaton Mersey didn’t know what hit them with Neil Muttock taking five wickets, and Jack Critchley taking another to reduce them 20-6. But then a stand of 86 halted Grappenhall’s progress and although Jamie Edgington took two more wickets late on, the home side managed to bat out a draw on 123-8.
Muttock finished with 5-36.
Warrington came out on top in a low scoring match against Stockport Georgians.
Batting first, Warrington were all out for 120, James Hughes top scoring with 48 and Brendan Morris hitting 23.
Georgians could find no answer to the bowling of Dan Pascoe who took 8-17 as they crashed out for 93.
Warrington 4th were held to a draw by Irby after setting a challenging target of 213-6, Will Gilbert hitting an unbeaten 120. But Irby settled for a draw, batting out the over for 106-7.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park decided to bowl first on winning the toss and dismissed Barrow for 91. They then strolled to victory at 94-4.
Stretton declared on 196-6 against Woodford who replied with 186-7.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Appleton’s mid-season renaissance continued with a fine win against Hartford.
Batting first at Lyons Lane, Appleton hit 156, Ricky Clarke hitting 56. Then they bowled the visitors out for 126, Ed Pugh taking four wickets and young spinner Chris Grumley three.
Appleton 2nd were held to a draw at Ellesmere Port.
Appleton made first use of the pitch and reached 181-3, Mike Arnold hitting 80, Tom Shard 55 not out and David Lomas 33. Duane Jones took 2-50 as Port batted but at the close they were 170-4.
Appleton 3rd defeated Stalybridge by seven wickets after bowling them out for 132, Andy Jackson taking three wickets. Tom McIntosh hit 49 and Marcus Pepper 39 as Appleton replied.
Appleton 4th posted 166 against Wilmslow Wayfarers who could only muster 145-9.
Glazebury’s bid for the division two title was hit by the weather. After they had hit 212-9 at Offerton, David Acton 60 and Simon Green 56, they reduced the home side to 36-3 only to see rain end the match prematurely as a draw.
But at Hurst Lane, Glazebury 2nd inflicted an eight wicket defeat on Rostherne, bowling them out for 68. Stewart Caller took 3-34, Jon Gibbons 3-0 and David Nicholson 2-23. Then Glazebury replied with 70-2, Gary Dunlop hitting 26 not out.
Rylands 2nd enjoyed an eight wicket victory over Mossley after bowling them out for 66.