Grappers’ giant step towards promotion

GRAPPENHALL took a giant step towards promotion from the Vivio Cheshire County League first division when they routed leaders Didsbury.
The five wicket win at Broad Lane took Grappers to within three points of Didsbury – and 32 points clear of the chasing pack with three games left to play.
It was a crucial match for both sides and Grappenhall skipper Adam Roylance had no hesitation in asking the visitors to bat after winning the toss.
Didsbury were soon struggling at 40-5 but rallied to reach 195. Sam Guest took 4-47 and Gaz Burns 4-39.
In reply, Grappers lost two quick wickets but then Peter Barnes set the tone of things to come with a fine 61. Ryan Ninan hammered an unbeaten 55, opening his innings with two sixes and a reverse sweep four. Roylance contributed 27 and Albert Pennington 25 as Grappers reached their target with five wickets to spare.
Grappenhall 2nd had a comfortable win at Bowdon after bowling out the home side for 94, Matt Titchard  and Ben Cagna taking three wickets each and Ben Clissold and Neil Titchard two each. Grappers knocked off the runs for the loss of only two wickets, Will Sharp  hitting 41.
On Sunday, Grappenhall 3rd  inflicted a heavy defeat on Cheadle, bowling them out for 95 with Richard Wiles and Will Metcalfe taking three wickets each.  Dan Osborne hit 61 not out as Grappers coasted to a nine wicket victory.
Warrington lost at Weaverham to remain dangerously close to the foot of the division one table.
The home side batted first and hit 180, despite James Rudd’s excellent figures of 6-16 and Rob Batey taking 2-46.   Warrington were all out for 162, Huw Stone stop scoring with 50, Andrew Green hitting 24 and skipper Richard Heaney 22 not out.
Warrington 2nd dismissed Brooklands for 110 at Walton Lea, Phil Whelan taking 7-18. Warrington replied with 111-2,  skipper Simon Swain hitting 48 not out and Brad Roden 40.
In the Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park suffered a disappointing defeat at Runcorn where the home side took first knock and reached 202-8. Blair Weller took 2-39 and Travis Scholes 2-60. Lymm replied with 157, Scholes top scoring with 52 and Jonathan Fletcher hitting 22.
Appleton won by five runs in a closely fought game at Wilmslow, hitting 131 and then dismissing the home side for 126.  Appleton 2nd had a big win against Winnington Park, batting first and reaching 222-4. James Nesbitt hit 69, Mike Arnold 40, Neil Thompson 53 not out and Liam Mannion 45.
The visitors were bowled out forf 67, Josh Coghlan taking 3-22, David Hyatt 2-6 and Ed Sygrove 2-5.
Stretton 2nd hammered Kingsley after batting first and reaching 219-6, Umer Zeb hitting 62,  Umar Nasser 45 and S Ehmed 42 not out.
Kingsley were bowled out for 68, Zeb taking 3-0 and Will Metcalf 4-9.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Glazebury handed out a good beating to The Groves, batting first and reaching 177-5. Jaqck Warhurst hit an unbeaten 82 and skipper Sam Stanier 56.
The Wirral side were dismissed for 92, Stanier’s pace earning him 5-22, Warhurst taking 2-19 and David Acton 2-12.
Rylands won by two wickets against Knutsford, who were restricted to 120-7. Simon Sparkes taking 4-26 and Richard Buck 2-18. Rylands replied with 123-8.
Appleton 3rd went down at Knutsford after being bowled out for 110 after the home side had hit 162-5. Michael Ormson took 2-61 and Muhammad Shaheryar 2-11.