GRAPPENHALL Cricket Club are celebrating after winning promotion to the top flight of cricket for a club team on the last day of the season.
Grappenhall went into the last match of the season against Heaton Mersey, knowing that a maximum points win, and other results going their way, were crucial to their promotion aspirations.
The visitors elected to bat first on a good track, and while batting positively, found themselves at 65 for 5 after 20 overs, with the early wickets been shared between skipper Steve Titchard and Ian Hall.
With a greasy ball due to earlier rain, the home side were not quite able to exert the control they would have wished for, and Mersey `got away` to a degree, finally posting a useful 192 for 9. Ian Hall was the pick of the bowlers, with 4 for 50, and the skipper picking up three. Grappenhall`s fielding was generally good in not the easiest of conditions.
In response Grappenhall made a steady start, losing Adam Roylance with the score on 27, at which point Neil Fairbrother joined Richard Green. The two batted very attractively, and were in no trouble at all in a stand of 89, when Neil was out for an attracitive 49 with the score on 116. Luke McCoy joined Richard and the two continued Grappenhall`s run chase with fluent, positive cricket, until Luke, looking to finish the match `in style`, fell with the score on 183 for a well compiled 33. Elder brother James came to the wicket, and with Richard fittingly hitting the winning boundary, the match was comfortably won in the 41st over. Richard finished on 88 not out, which was a classy innings, with a mixture of placement, power and concentration.
Grappenhall bagged 25 invaluable points, and with near neighbours Widnes well beaten in their match, achieving their season`s goal of promotion to the Premiership. Over the season Grappenhall have played a lot of attractive cricket, and in an after match speech from the skipper, he thanked the whole squad for their support and contributions.
Next season will be a new and exciting challenge, and it was a truly great day for the Club!!
As a result Grappenhall 1st and 2nds will both compete in the Premier League next season.
GRAPPENHALL Cricket Club are celebrating after winning promotion to the
top flight of cricket for a club team on the last day of the season.
Grappenhall promoted to Premier League!
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
