Green century wasn't enough

A BRILLIANT century from former Lancashire batsman Richard Green was not enough to prevent Grappenhall slumping to a third successive defeat in the Chapel Press Cheshire County League division one title chase.
It was a disappointing result – and one that leaves Grappeers just 44 points ahead of third placed Oulton Park in the division one title race.
Grappenhall travelled to Bollington and were asked to bat on a bowler-friendly wicket.
However, Green and James McCoy put on 49 for the first wicket before McCoy was out.
Green was then joined by Luke McCoy and another partnership of 65 followed – although the fact that Luke contributed only six runs was indicative of the difficult conditions.
The middle order was blown away, with only skipper Liam Parkinson reaching double figures. Green was continuing to score freely, but finally fell for an invaluable 113 with the score on 164 in the 40th over.
His innings included 14 fours and five sixes.
An enterprising partnership of 41 between Gaz Burns, 24 not out and Daniel Hawke, 22 not out, took Grappers to 205-7 when they declared to give themselves an extra three overs to try and bowl the home side out.
In fact, although wickets fell at regular intervals, Bollington began to accumulate runs. An injury to the skipper, which meant he had to vacate his position behind the stumps, led to extra byes being given away, while a chance or two went begging.
Bollington reached their target in the 52nd over, with six wickets down.
Sam Guest took 2-51 and Gaz Burns 2-28.
Grappers now have five games in which to recapture the form that earlier in the season was sweeping all opposition aside.
Grappenhall drew with Toft at Broad Lane.
Batting first, they totalled 233, Paul Radage 57, Andy Tetlow 58 and Rob Slater 33.
The visitors were never in the hunt but held on for a draw at 161-9. Jack Critchley took 3-51, Albert Pennington 2-31 and John Green 2-28.
Warrington, meanwhile, chalked up a four wicket victory over Poynton at Walton Lea to take them within 16 points of a promotion spot in division three.
The visitors were restricted to 157-8, with Kyle Adams taking 5-61 and Warrington coasted to 160-6, Paul Farrar hitting 50 and Mike Rudd 44 not out.
Warrington 2nd went down at Widnes where the home side batted first and totalled 241-7 declared, Ryan Swart taking 3-96 and veteran Paul Agar 3-42.
Malcolm Gwatkin hit a fine 55, James Lewis 44 and Ian Sleigh 42 as Warrington replied – but it was not enough and the side was all out for 234.
Warrington 3rd won by 10 wickets against Neston at Walton Lea.
In the Meller Braggins Cheshire League, the possibility of relegation is now staring Glazebury in the face after they went down by eight wickets against Barrow at Hurst Lane.
Batting first, Glazebury were tumbled out for 84, with Dave Acton, 23 and Wayne Hargreaves, 40, the only batsmen to offer much resistance. Barrow replied with 86-2.
The 2nd XI game at Barrow ended in victory for the home side after they batted first and reached 195-6.
Glazebury were dismissed for 173, Gordon Chesworth 36, David Nicholson 34, Shaun Conroy 29 and Lee Peate, 29.
Stretton went down by seven runs in a closely-fought contest with Pott Shrigley, who batted first and totalled 203. Tom Mullins hit 80 for Stretton but they were all out for 196.
The Cheshire Alliance “derby” match between Appleton and Rylands ended in a draw.
Appleton batted first and reached 164-5, Richard Clarke 62 not out, Andrew Tyer 25.
Adam Peters took 2-32.
Rylands were 134-8 at the close, Eddie Platt top scoring with 56. Stuart Bate, 5-41 and Ed Pugh, 2-38 were the pick of the Appleton bowlers.
A fine unbeaten 132 from Ali Sharif put Appleton 2nd on the way to 222-3 declared, in 45 overs. Mike Arnold hit 50.
But visitors Wistaston Village held on for a draw at 126-8, despite Amir Rashid’s 4-29.