RAIN wiped out a major part of local cricket at the weekend – including Grappenhall’s crucial match with third placed Sale in the Chapel Press Cheshire County League division one.
So Grappers’ remarkable 100 per cent record was ended by the weather, rather than the opposition.
Second placed Bowdon were able to play – and won at Christleton. But even so, Grappenhall remain top of the table on 182 points, with Bowdon on 161 and Sale on 147.
Grappenhall 3rd managed to play at Broad Lane and chalked up a vital victory against league leaders Hyde. The result enabled Grappers to leapfrog the opposition to take top spot in the top tier of 3rd XI cricket for the first time in more than 10 years.
After a significant amount of work by stand in skipper Paul Tyerman to get the ground fit for play, Grappers won the toss and put Hyde into bat on a remarkably good track.
A good burst from the Grappers’ opening attack of Neil Muttock and Ian Hall kept the runs at a premium with Hall picking up two early wickets. From then on the spin of Albert Pennington and Matt Titchard kept the Hyde batsmen at bay with some good line and length bowling once they found their rhythm. Wickets were shared amongst all the bowlers along with two run outs, to restrict Hyde to a modest 139- 8 in their 45 overs. A much improved fielding performance by the home side bodes well for the coming weeks.
Grappers lost an early wicket with Mark Tyerman looking all at sea as he played on to his own stumps. Hulme soon followed and it was left to Muttock and Hall to steady the ship which they duly did, taking the score past 70 before both fell in quick succession.
A couple more quick wickets fell which gave Hyde the sense of an unlikely victory. Matt Titchard had other ideas as he took the game to the Hyde bowlers and proceeded to play with power and aggression, swinging the match firmly back in Grappers’ favour. The victory was duly sealed thanks to an excellent 41 not out by Titchard to give Grappers the 25 points they needed to go top.
Warrington travelled to Malpas to find better weather – but only managed a draw.
Batting first, they declared on 181-4, James Hughes top scoring with 63, Paul Farrar hitting 33 and Chris Kirby, 26 not out and Tom Pool, 29 not out, hammering some late runs.
Malpas held out on 116-8, despite good bowling from Kyle Adams, 3-41 and Matt Adams, 4-27.
Warrington 3rd clung on for a draw at Neston where the home side batted first and hit 183. Tom Corroboy took 4-46 and James Waldron 3-47. Warrington’s last pair were at the wicket when time ran out on 171-9. William Gilbert hit 42 and Sam Houghton 39.
Warrington 5th went down by seven wickets against Alvanley 3rd, suffering a late collapse that reduced them to 112 all out. Alvanley’s Steve Green took 7-16 in 11 overs, including four in his last over.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park 2nd had a good win at Kingsley, batting first and totalling 147, Chris Oakes batting right through with 75 not out. Anthony Alderman took 3-48. Kingsley were bowled out for 81, in-form Chattergee picking up 8-20.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Appleton 2nd went down by four wickets at Port Sunlight.
Batting first they were all out for 101 and the home side finished on 102-6.
Women’s cricket
Appleton were made to fight by Trinity before maintaining their unbeaten run in the Cheshire Women’s Cricket League.
Trinity posted 132-5, Rebecca Platt 51 and Gabby McKeever 29 not out, Holly McCurrie taking 2-18.
But a crucial unbeaten 36 from Lauren O’Reilly saw Appleton home to a three wicket win with 17 balls to spare. Natalie Lyons made 25 while Trinity bowlers Katie Haszeldine, Ellie Barker and McKeever all took two wickets.
