Tough start for newly-promoted Grappenhall

GRAPPENHALL’S first game back in the Vivio Cheshire County League’s premier division was always going to be a tough one.
They travelled to champions Alderley Edge and got off to the worst possible start losing three wickets for 28.
Pete Barns, 42, showed some resolve mid-innings and began to build a partnership with Albert Pennington, 32, towards a respectable total. There was some lift in the tail, with Gaz Burns contributing a valuable 26,and Grappers reached 177.
But the home side are strong on batting and cruised home for the loss of just two wickets – both falling to Grappers’ new Aussie import Owen Lynch.
It won’t be much easier for Grappers next Saturday when big hitters Chester Boughton Hall visit Broad Lane.
Grappenhall 2nd got off to a good start bowling out visitors Davenham for 143, debutant Ross Arrowsmith and veteran Ben Cagna taking three wickets each.  Grappers knocked off the runs for the loss of three wickets, Jamie Bye finishing on 85 not out and Josh Hayes hitting 55.
The 3rd XI started their season with a T20cup game against Ashley. They posted a mammoth 195-3, Richard Holden 59 and holding Ashley to 82-8. Stanley Pennington took three wickets.
Warrington started their season in division one with a five wicket victory over Macclesfield at Walton Lea.
The visitors were held to 214-8 with Rob Batey taking 3-28 and Johan Els 3-45.
Brad McIntosh hit a fine 78 before being run out as Warrington reached 215-5 in 47.5 overs.
Warrington 2nd also won their opening match, dismissing home side Bramhall for 120 and coasting to 125-5 in reply.
Rishav Manta took 5-23 and Isaac Webster 4-19 while opener Brad Roden was top scorer with 59.
Lymm Oughtrington Park lost narrowly in their opening game in division one of the Cheshire League.
Batting first at Runcorn they reached 208-8, opener Jonathan Fletcher, 45 and skipper Travis Scholes, 47, top scoring.  The home side’s last pair were at the wicket when the running runs were hit. Former Warrington and Stretton player Ben Clissold hit 92 for Runcorn. Shovan Chatterjee took 4-52 for Lymm.
In division three, Appleton demolished Aston after batting first at Lyons Lane and totalling 165-3, Sam Cooper top scoring with 47. Aston were bowled out for 76, Aamir Rashid taking 4-18.
Stretton won their opening game at Langley, after the home side had hit 202-6. Ali Zubain took 3-39. Stretton replied with 205-7, S Malik hitting a fine 77.
In division four, Glazebury’s opening game against Winsford had to be cancelled because the Hurst Lane outfield was not fit to play following the installation of a new drainage system during the winter.
In division A, Lymm Ougtrington Park 2nd were held to 138-6 at home to Runcorn. Richard Hughes was the mainstay of the batting with 61. The visitors took the game with 139-5 despite Tony Spaven’s fine spell of 3-40.
Division B West saw Warrington 3rd  race to an eight wicket win at Barrow after the home side were held to 133-9.
Appleton 2nd went down by eight wickets at Port Sunlight after being held to 155-7. Opener Bob McDonald hit an unbeaten 68 and John Nesbit hit 41 before being run out.
Port Sunlight replied with 157-2
Stretton 2nd were bowled out for 138, S Ehmed hitting 64 not out and visitors Barnton replied with 141-7. Tom Bravington took 3-19.
In division C,  Appleton 3rd entertained Ashley Academy and restricted them to 64-8, then coasting to victory with 65-2.
Dave Sujith took 3-8 and Andy Thomas 3-28.  Tiimon Tomlinson top scored for Appleton with 22 not out.
Glazebury 2nd travelled to Styal where the home side batted first and hit 150-8, Chris Ayre taking 3-19 and Jordan Carroll 3-40.  Glazebury responded with 152-4. Jack Warhurst hitting 42 and Gary Moore 76 not out.