HEAVY defeats at the weekend left Warrington’s two top cricket teams in precarious positions in the Vivio Cheshire County League.
Grappenhall are hovering just one point above the relegation zone in the ECB Premier division – and Warrington are looking in a hopeless position in the division one relegation zones.
Grappenhall went down by six wickets against Hyde at Broad Lane.
Their final total of 94 actually represented something of a recovery because they were only 67-9.
But Matt Titchard, 22 and last man Arran McCabe, 12 not out, hung around to almost get the side into three figures.
The target was never enough, however, and Hyde cruised to 98-4, despite Titchard taking 3-34.
Grappenhall 2nd romped to a nine wicket win, however, dismissing Brooklands for 136 and then strolling to their target for the loss of just one wicket.
Warrington were put in to bat first and were rolled over for a paltry 67 at Urmston. Brad Roden, 21 and Rob Batey, 12, were the only two batsmen to reach double figures.
Urmston hit off the necessary runs without losing a wicket.
Warrington 2nd were on top from the start of their game at Urmston, however.
The home side were dismissed for 125, Phil Whelan taking 5-38, Rob Dempster 2-27 and Simon Hewitt 2-34. Warrington were given a solid start through skipper Simon Swain, 25, and 14-year-old Archie Kellett, 69 not out, and reached their target for the loss of only three wickets.
Warrington 3rd were dismissed for 100 by Chester Boughton Hall at Walton Lea.
Losing three early wickets, they staged a mini-revival through Dan Rudd, 28 and Finn Webster, 16 but it was not enough and the visitors were able to cross the line with three wickets to spare. Rudd took 3-27 and Billy Gilbert 2-17.
In the Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park registered a useful 42-run victory over Port Sunlight at Oughtrington Lane.
Batting first they were given a match-winning start by opener Mathew Carr who hit a fine 70. Next highest score was fellow-opener Matthew Bradshaw’s 16 and with only two other batsmen reaching double figures, Carr’s innings was crucial.
Fortunately, the visitors also struggled for runs and withg Syed Khan taking 5-33, Jonathan Fletcher 2-23 and Andy Hossack 2-9 they were back in the pavilion for 105.
Lymm Oughtrington 2ned scored an even more emphatic victory by 109 runs at Oakmere.
The visitors reached 167-7 in 45 overs, Arvind Pillal hitting 38, Liam Ramsbottom 31 and Paul Henbrey 29.
Then the home side were rolled over for 58, Graham Waumsley taking 5-31, Tony Spaven 2-17 and Pillal 2-0.
Appleton travelled to Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge to suffer a 42-run defeat.
The home side batted first and reached 165-7 and after tea Appleton could only muster 123 in 40 overs.
Appleton 2nd went down by 123 runs against Upton at Lyons Lane.
The visitors batted first and reached a challenging 184-7 despite Michael Cumberland returning figures of 5-47. In reply, Appleton were tumbled out for 61 in 22 overs with only two batsmen reaching double figures.
Appleton 3rd also lost – but only after a nail-biting finish at Bowdon Vale where the home side batted first and totalled 161. Oliver Cross took 4-16. Appleton batted well in reply, but fell short by just six runs.
Simon Tomlinson hit 33 and skipper John Porter 26.
Stretton went down by six wickets at home to Maritime.
Batting first they were dismissed for 166 and then saw the visitors coast to 168-4.
Stretton 2nd fared rather better, travelling to Kingsley and winning by seven wickets.
Kingsley were bowled out for 73, with the reliable Umer Zeb taking 5-21 in just 9.4 overs. Stretton coasted to 75-3, H. Salim hitting 48.
Glazebury travelled to Holmes Chapel and went down by 51 runs. The home side took first knock and reached 180-8 in 44 overs. Glazebury replied with 129 all out.
But Glazebury 2nd enjoyed a fine win over Warrington 4th at Hurst Lane.
After batting first and hitting 178, Nirpal Bansel and Andrew Wood hitting 32 each and Alex Ross 32 not out, they dismissed the visitors for 110, despite a fighting 61 from Andy Goodfellow which kept the result in doubt until the last over. Hakeem Dahou took 5-22 and Sean Caine 3-19.
