GRAPPENHALL are now in serious danger of relegation from the premier division of the Cheshire County League following a disastrous seven-wicket defeat at home to Bramhall, who themselves had lost their previous five matches.
Batting first on an easy paced wicket, Grappenhall were dismissed for a disappointing 163 – and followed this up with a below par bowling performance.
They still have five matches in which to redeem themselves – but all five will be away from home because of a major ground project to improve the outfield, starting on August 17.
Grappers started well, racing to 37 before Jimmy McCoy mishit a shot and was out for 26.Jamie Bye made a well-crafted 27 but at 81-4 there was still hope of regaining lost ground. Then the batsmen got bogged down by the Bramhall spinners an d the scoring rate fell. Warwick Abrahim hit a laboured 33 and at 125-7 any hope a maximising batting points had gone.
Gaz Burns and Sam Guest showed some determination at the end, but the final total was 70 or 80 light of what it should have been.
Bramhall knocked off the runs in 34 overs – indicative of how Grappers bowled.
The result leaves Grappers second to bottom in the league – 26 points adrift from safety.
Skipper Paul Tyerman decided to field first when he won the toss at relegation threatened Congleton – and it proved a good decision as they were bowled out for 128. Stanley Pennington took 3-43 and Ben Cagna 3-26.
Grappenhall reached the modest target in the 29th over with opener Tom Hulme hit an unbeaten 60 and Ben Bodha 49.
A total of 496 runs were scored in Grappenhall 3rd’s game with Stockport – the second time this summer the two sides have met and scored almost 500 runs. Grappers won the first game but this match ended in a draw with Grappenhall reaching 245-4 in reply to Stockport’s 251.
Arthur Pennington hit 50, Ben Bravington 44, Jack Critchley 40 and Ben Bodha a magnificent 92 not out.
In division two, title chasing Warrington were again held to a draw but remain 14 points clear at the top of the table.
Visitors Upton hit 211, with James Rudd, 4-22 and Brad McIntosh, 3-63 the pick of the Warrington bowlers. Warrington could only muster 163-8, Adam Green hitting 57 and skipper Richard Heaney 38 not out as they played out the draw.
Warrington 2nd went down by five wickets at Upton after being dismissed for 175, Dan Rudd 72 and James Sharrock 44.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Appleton closed the gap on Stretton in the race for the division one title.
Appleton won at Holmes Chapel, hitting 1578-9, Tom Lomas 40, S Cooper 40 and K Gavaskar 33 not out. The home side were dismissed for 99, Aamir Rashid picking up 7-15.
But Stretton could only draw with Westminster Park, with each side acquiring 14 points. The result left Stretton still top of the table on 366 points and Appleton second with 347.
Stretton 2nd picked up a good win at Frodsham, batting first and hitting 201. Jason Taylor hit 56 and Farhad Qayum 34. Frodsham were dismissed for 94, Geoff Abram 30 and Connor Ellis 24 not out. J. Large took 5-27 and Jason Taylor 3-10.
Glazebury lost narrowly at Pott Shrigley where the home side hit 206 and Glazebury were bowled out for 200
Richard Buck hit 64, as Rylands reached 158-9 at Knutsford. Graeme Rowlands hit 32. Knutsford were bowled out for 124, Matt Brady taking 5-5
Rylands 2nd were dismissed for 133 and then saw visitors Saughall hammer 136 for the loss of just one wicket.
Appleton 4th held on for a draw against Old Parkonians, who amassed 232-2. David Lomas top scored with 55 as Appleton reached 135-7.
Grappers facing the drop after disastrous defeat
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