Trophy chances slipping away

GRAPPENHALL’S chances of picking up a trophy looked to be slipping away when they suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of relegation-threatened Bowdon at Broad Lane.
To be fair, it was always a big ask for a team on its first season back in the ECB Premier division of the Vivio Cheshire County League, but Grappers’ early form made anything seem possible.
But this was a game they needed to win and their all-out total of 190 was never enough. James McCoy hit a useful 48 and Aussie all-rounder Josh McClelland a fine 57.
A couple of unlucky run-outs did not help on a day when things just did not go Grappers’ way.
Bowdon soon made batting look much easier, however, as they coasted to 193-2 with the Grappenhall attack failing to cause them much trouble.
Grappenhall 2nd chalked up a massive 131 run victory at Sale.
Batting first they hit 239-5, Jamie Bye scoring 54, Iain Wright a breeze 62 and debutant Ben Bodha 51 not out.
Sale were tumbled out for 98, Sam Guest bagging 6-23 and Ian Barnes 3-26.
The following day, Grappenhall 3rd won by 38 runs against Sale. Ben Bodha, 52 not out, Albert Pennington, 50 and Mike Moss, 41, were all in form with the bat as Grappers declared on 187-5. A depleted Sale side could only must 149, Paul Tyerman taking 3-42, and Stanley Pennington 2-24.
Warrington managed to hang on for a draw at Timperley after the home side had amassed 274-7, making Warrington’s decision to bowl first look a little flawed. But the batsmen restored the situation slightly, without ever looking as if they could force a win. Opener Chris Kirby top scored with 40 and James Hughes hit 30 as Warrington finished on 207-8.
Warrington 5th travelled to Wistaston Village where they dismissed the home side for 88, Tom Higham taking 4-32. Warrington replied with 91-5, James Sharrock hitting 37 not out.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Glazebury enjoyed a five wicket victory at Saughall that lifted them clear of the division one relegation zone – a fair reflection of their recent improved form.
They bowled the home side out for 157, Tom Wilkinson bagging 5-38, Jon Gibbons 3-39 and Jack Warhurst 3-28. Glazebury replied with 159-5, Dean Lord top scoring with 63 and Warhurst chipping in with a useful 27.
Glazebury 2nd also won handsomely after declaring on 192-8 against Wilmslow at Hurst Lane. Sean Caine hit 43 and Ian Black 36.
A depleted Wilmslow were then bowled out for 29, Black taking 3-4, Dave Nicholson 2-14 and Caine 2-4.
The “derby” game between Rylands and Stretton ended in victory for Rylands. Batting first, they totalled 175, Sean Peters top scoring with 58 and Phil Osmond hitting 39. A Raza was Stretton’s most successful bowler with 6-34.
Stretton were all out for 162, E Malik hitting 42 and Mark Green taking 6-48.
Appleton chose to bat first after winning the toss at Wistaston Village but were bowled out for 114. The home side lost six wickets chasing down the total.
At Lyons Lane, Appleton 2nd managed to force a draw against Eastham and Bromborough Pool who batted first and hit 202-8. Luke Truin was the pick of the Appleton bowlers with 3-47. Appleton were 180-7 when the overs ran out, Ed Sygrove hitting 37, Alan Jackson 31 not out and Will Ralston 30.
In the Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park 2nd went down by six wickets after being dismissed for 120 by Ashton-on-Mersey. Their total could have been much smaller as they were 57-7 at one time and top scorer was Number 10 batsmen Graham Ramsbottom who hit an unbeated 26.
Ashton-on-Mersey replace with 124-4 – with Dave Evans taking all four wickets.