Owen Lynch
AUSSIE import Owen Lynch hit a superb 77 not out as Grappenhall secured their first win of the Vivio Cheshire County League premier division season.
The six wicket victory at Broad Lane was particularly significant as it was against the powerful Chester Boughton Hall – always a major force in Cheshire cricket.
The visitors won the toss and batted first, but were soon in trouble with a couple of wickets to Gaz Burns who went on to take 4-45 as Grappers contained the normally free-scoring Chester side. The tail wagged slightly but the visitors were eventually all out for 199.
There was clearly a bit in the wicket so Grappenhall needed a good start and got one with skipper Adam Roylance, 41, and Jamie Bye putting on 62 for the first wicket. Lynch and Pete Barnes, 26, carried on the good work, as did James McCoy, 35 not out, after Barnes fell.
The bowling was hostile, but Grappers reached their target for the loss of only four wickets and with 14 overs to spare.
Grappenhall 2nd couldn’t repeat the heroics of the previous week and went down by three wickets at Urmston. In dire straits at 50-7, Grappers fought back through youngster James Jenkinson, with his first 2nd XI 50, and Will Metcalfe and finished on 138.
Urmston lost wickets at regular intervals but the target was always in sight and they coasted home with seven wickets and plenty of time to spare.
Warrington’s bowlers took a mauling at Marple where the home side hammered 247-5 in 50 overs. Rob Batey, 2-68 was the most successful bowler.
Johan Els hit a useful 73 as Warrington replied, but despite some good batting against a testing attack, could only reach 230. Brad McIntosh hit 38 and Sam Houghton 31.
Warrington 2nd won by five wickets against Bowdon at Walton Lea, after the visitors had hit a creditable 238-9, Ryan Swart taking 3-56, Simon Hewitt 2-50 and Chai Gadepalli 2-41. Warrington coasted to 240-5, Alistair Begg top scoring with 58 and Ian Sleigh hammering 53 not out.
In the Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park got slightly the better of Ashton-on-Mersey in a hard-fought draw at Oughtrington Lane.
The visitors batted first and reached 202-9 in 45 overs. Nick Chadbourne took 5-44 and Jonathan Fletcher 2-12.
Fletcher was also on form with the bat, hitting 68 after the home side had lost two quick wickets. Nafees Din hit 72 and Matthew Bradshaw 22 but Lymm were four runs short when the overs ran out on 198-8.
Lymm Oughtrington Park 2nd won by eight wickets at Bredbury St Marks after restricting the home side to 170-8, Tom Spaven taking 4-17. Lymm replied with 175-2, skipper Dave Evans hitting 65 not out and Arvind Pillai hit 58 not out.
Appleton got the better of a drawn game at Cholmondeley after the opening pair put on 148 enabling them to declare on 204-6. T. Bennett hit 116 not out and Martin Cooper 52.
The home side were on 195-6 when the overs ran out, Alex Wright taking 2-20.
Appleton 2nd lost by six wickets after being bowled out for 91 at home to Barrow. Josh Coghlan carried the innings on his back, hammering 58, including five fours and three sixes. No other batsman reached double figures.
Barrow replied with 92-4.
Appleton 3rd earned a draw at Trafford Metrovics where the home side batted first and reached 216.
Chris Tomlinson took 3-72 and and Alex Warham 3-42
Appleton were hanging on at 182-9 at the close, Ian Mason hitting 66 and Paul Booth 37.
Appleton 4th also drew when they hosted Timperley who batted first and were all out for 129. Michael Cumberland took 4-13. Appleton reached 124-9 at the close, the last pair hanging on claim the draw and almost reaching victory.
Glazebury, playing their first match of the season, travelled to Audlem and were bowled out for 52, only Ian Black, 16, reaching double figures. The home side lost four wickets reaching their target, with Jack Warhurst taking 3-27.
At Hurst Lane, Glazebury 2nd coasted to victory after hitting 202-7 against new club Europa Exiles.
Graham Albon hit 64, Jules Moore 46, Sean Caine 32 and skipper Wayne Hargreaves 28, The visitors were tumbled out for 37.
Stretton won by four wickets hosting Wistaston Village. The visitors were bowled out for 139, Ali Zubain taking 4-21. Stretton coasted to 140-6.< J Mir hitting 38 not out and S Malik 36.
Stretton 2nd held on for a draw at Oxton where the home side amassed 309-1, reaching 198-8 at the close.
