Warrington hold on to top spot

WARRINGTON inflicted a heavy defeat on Stockport to strengthen their position at the top of the Chapel Press Cheshire County League division two – but elsewhere the weather caused major damage to the hopes and aspirations of local sides.
In the premier division, Grappenhall, desperately needing points to avoid relegation, saw their game against Nantwich completely washed out.
And in the Cheshire Alliance division one, Glazebury, currently challenging for a promotion slot, also had their game cancelled.
Warrington’s win at Stockport owed much to Drew Martel who top scored with 71 as Warrington reached 197-9 in 45 overs.
Stockport crashed out for 83 as Matt Adams took 6-39 and Simon Hewitt 3-17.
Warrington 3rd earned a draw at Neston where the home side batted first and reached 175-7. Billy Gilbert took 3-62 and Lorna Thomas 3-38.
Warrington clung on for a draw reaching 147-9. Tim Rothwell top scored with 27 and there were useful knocks from Brian Boys, 24 and Gilbert, also 24.
Grappenhall 2nd were unlucky not to claim victory at Nantwich where they batted first and reached 193-9 in 46 overs. Opener Paul Radage hit 40 and skipper Mike Holden 54.
Nantwich had their last pair at the wicket when the overs ran out and finished on 183. Sam Guest took 2-53, Albert Pennington 3-39 and Tom Evans 3-3.
Grappenhall 3rd had a fiercely contested draw at Nantwich. Batting first, Grappers declared on 243-6 after openers Mark Tyerman, 62 and Neil Muttock, 63 put on 94 for the first wicket. Matt Tichard, 38 not out and Albert Pennington, 27 also made useful contributions.
Grappenhall used eight bowlers trying to dislodge the home side’s batsmen as they progressed to 239-6 in 52 overs. Pennington was the only bowler to trouble the batsmen however, finishing with 5-55.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Glazebury were dismayed to have their game washed out.
But their 2nd XI triumphed by six wickets over local rivals Appleton.
Appleton were dismissed for 86, with Dave Hurst top scoring with 25. Chris Lord took 3-28 and Matthew Shailer 4-7.
Glazebury cantered to 88-4, Shailer and Andy Durrington, both hitting 29 not out.
Appleton 4th went down heavily against Old Parkonians who hit 215-7 declared and then dismissed Appleton for 121.
Rylands 2nd fell just four runs short of victory over Stalybridge St Pauls at Warrington.
The Stalybridge side batted first and reached 156-5. Sujith Nair took 3-47 and Saajan Ramji 2-24. Rylands were 153-6 at the close, Andy Lowe hitting 29, Matt Brady 33 and Alan Mansfield 37 not out.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire league, Lymm Oughtrington Park suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Winnington Park.
The Northwich side hit 108, Nick Chadbourne taking 3-34 and skipper Travis Scholes picking up 3-30. Lymm were then tumbled out for 69, of which Karl Wright hit 22.
Stretton 3rd enjoyed a six wicket win over Congleton, who were dismissed for 133. Stretton replied with 134-4, with Fleetwood hitting an unbeaten 74.