GRAPPENHALL are very much back in the hunt for promotion to the Chapel Press Cheshire County League premier division after a three wicket victory over fellow title-chasers Macclesfield at Broad Lane.
It was a “must win” game for Grappers and their haul of 25 points left them just three behind second placed Macclesfield.
They have five games left to play – three of them at home.
Macclesfield elected to bat first and made steady progress against a disciplined home attack.
Gaz Burns took an early wicket but it was the introduction of skipper Steve Titchard that started the wickets falling. He finished with 5-61 from 18 consecutive overs.
Dean Riches took took late wickets when the visitors were looking to up the tempo.
Macclesfield finished on 184-8.
Grappenhall lost Jimmy McCoy with the score on 27 and Ian Wright at 66. But young opener Adam Roylance was batting well and eventually made a fine 60.
Richard Green marshalled the middle order with 44 not out while Luke McCoy hit a brisk 27.
Victory was eventually achieved with four balls left.
There can’t be too many 2nd XIs with a former England Test player in their line up, but Grappenhall 2nd turned out with ex-Lancashire star Neil Fairbrother at Bowdon.
Fairbrother, who played for England in 10 Tests and more than 70 one day internationals, scored 59, putting on 106 with Andy Tetlow 67, for the second wicket.
Grappenhall finished on 193 all out.
Bowdon struggled at the start, losing three wickets for 14 runs. But Grappenhall were unable to bowl them out and they finished on 129-6.
Sam Guest took 3-22.
Warrington lost at Tattenhall after the home side had batted first and scored 198-6. Ryan Swart, 3-43, was the pick of Warrington’s bowlers.
The batsmen were never really in the hunt, apart from Jordan Mitchell who hit a useful 42 and the side were bowled out for 143.
Warrington 2nd enjoyed a good win against Cheadle Hulme, however, batting first and hitting 170-7 and then bowling the visitors out for 160.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Glazebury kept up their challenge for promotion to division one with a five wicket victory over Knutsford at Hurst Lane.
The visitors batted first and were dismissed for 103, Rhys Marsh taking 4-16 and Michael Nutkins 3-14.
Glazebury coasted to 105-5, Dave Mason hitting 55 and Phil McCue 26.
The result leaves Glazebury just three points behind leaders Audlem.
Glazebury 2nd also won, despite a below batting performance at Wistaston.
Terry Major top scored with 21 as Glazebury were dismissed for 121.
But the experienced bowling line up of Sean Caine, 3-40, Gary Dunlop, 3-3 and Stewart Caller, 2-19 disposed of the home side for 88.
Appleton went down against Langley at Lyons Lane, despite a solid batting performance.
Richard Clarke, 54, Chris Grumley, 51, Tom Lomas 38 and David Hurst, 26, all batted well as Appleton reached 198-7. But the visitors’ strong batting line-up took advantage of a few lapses in the field to reach 204-6 with five balls to spare. Chris Tomlinson took 2-41.
Appleton 2nd won by 50 runs at Hartford, despite an unconvincing batting display.
Tom Shard hit 42 and Samuel Swift 23, but Appleton could only muster 146. The bowlers came to the rescue, however, as Hartford were bowled out for 94. Duane Jones took 4-40 and Stuart Bate 4-36.
Appleton 3rd took a drubbing at the hands of Mossley, being bowled out for 89, of which Sam Thorley hit 32.
Mossley knocked off the runs for the loss of one wicket.
There was an exciting finish to the Appleton 4th game at Frodsham.
The home side hit a challenging total of 187-4 declared. Then Ali Sharriff hit a classy 60 to put Appleton on course for victory and Ben Swannell hit a four off the last ball of the game to give his side the points.
Women’s cricket
Warrington went down by 80 runs at Sheffield United but learned after close of play that they are safe from relegation from the ECB Women’s Premier League North.
Sheffield hit 220-6, with Lorna Thomas, 2-31 and Georgie Bingham, 2-40, the pick of the bowlers.
Warrington were dismissed for 140 after slumping from 20-0 to 24-3. Top scorers were Jennie Kitzinger, 25 and Kate Skelhorn, 23.
In the Cheshire Women’s League, division one leaders Appleton were fired to a comprehensive victory over Bowdon by the highest individual innings of the league season – 131 from 112 deliveries by captain Emma Barlow.
Anni Rashid made an unbeaten 34 and Jen Regan 26 as Appleton racked up 238-4. Bowdon managed only 86 in reply, with Regan the pick of the bowlers with 2-14.
