Season ends with a whimper

GRAPPENHALL finished their season in the Vivio Cheshire County League Premier Division with a whimper – and probably their worst batting performance as they crashed to a heavy defeat at title hopefuls Neston.
Some good bowling reduced Neston to 90-3 off 30 overs but then the home side got to grips with Grappers’ bowling to enable to finish with a commanding 230-5 – a total Grappers knew would be difficult to chase down.
But Neston knew only a win would do if they had any hope of topping the table and they soon had the visitors in trouble. Only Aussie Josh McClelland and Gaz Burns got into double figures as Grappenhall were bowled out for a lowly 58.
So it was a disappointing end to a season that had seen Grappers at one time in with a chance of the title. As it was, they finished a respectable sixth in the table – a considerable improvement on their last spell in the Premier division when they went straight down again after one season.
They also had some excellent individual performances with opener Adam Roylance scoring nearly 800 league runs and McClelland – who hopes to return next season – hitting 700 runs and taking more than 40 wickets.
Grappenhall 2nd hosted fellow title chasers Neston at Broad Lane, needing a victory to secure the title. But the visitors won the toss and decided to bat second knowing a draw would secure them top spot.
Andy Tetlow hit a fine unbeaten 104 and Will Sharp and elegant 70 as Grappers hit 226-2 in 48 overs. But Neston showed no interest in going for a wind and crawled to 84-2 in 52 overs to earn the draw they needed to claim the title. Grappers finished in second place.
Warrington also ended their season with a disappointing defeat when they entertained Tattenhall at Walton Lea.
The visitors batted first and were dismissed for for 135, pace ace Kyle Adams taking 4-66 and Matt Adams 3-29.
But Warrington got off to a disastrous start to their innings, losing both openers without a run on the board and eventually crashing out for 110, wicket keeper Mike Rudd top scoring with 40.
The result left Warrington fifth in the league – disappointing after the side had shown much early promise.
Warrington 2nd’s bowlers toiled all afternoon at Cheadle as the home side amassed 306-8. Veteran bowler Paul Agar took 3-37 but the rest of Warrington’s attack took a pasting.
Only opener Tom Corroboy, with 38 offered much resistance as Cheadle bowled Warrington out for 93.
Warrington 3rd held on for a draw at Macclesfield after the home side had declared on 249-5.
Dominic Hastings hit 46, Alan Hitchmough 30 and Wesley Charlton 65 as Warrington replied, but wickets kept falling and the last pair were at the wicket with only 179 on the board when the overs ran out.
In the TACS Partnership Cheshire County League, Lymm Oughtrington Park ended their season with a defeat at the hands of Woodford, who batted first and were all out for a modest 139. But it was too big a total for Lymm to match as they were dismissed for 112 to finish eighth in the table.
The Lymm 2nd XI also lost to Woodford, totalling 116 in reply to the visitors 154.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Stretton picked up a surprise victory over Glazebury – which was just enough for them to avoid relegation.
Batting first, Stretton were all out for 144, Tom Wilkinson taking 4-54 and Jon Gibbons 3-21 for Glazebury.
But Glazebury crashed out for 70, with no batsman scoring more than 10.
The 2nd XI game also went Stretton’s way, Glazebury batting first and being dismissed for 146, Paul Warhurst 40 and David Nicholson 33 not out.
Stretton raced to victory for the loss of four wickets, John Wells hitting 40 and Jason Taylor 47. Alex McArthur took 3-22 for Glazebury.
Appleton were bowled out for 84 at Ellesmere Port and then saw the home side coast to victory for the loss of four wickets.
But Appleton 2nd drew a high-scoring game with Capenhurst at Lyons Lane.
Batting first, Appleton scored 249-9 declared, Dave Lomas top scoring with 99 and Will Ralston hitting 54 not out.
Capenhurst replied with 204-3, opener Steve Batty hitting an unbeaten 110.
Appleton 3rd were bowled out by visiting Mellor for a paltry 58, only two batsmen reaching double figures. Mellor reached the modest target without losing a wicket.