GRAPPENHALL went down by four wickets at home to Marple – but ironically climbed from the bottom of the Vivio Cheshire County League premier division for the first time this season.
They picked up eight points from a game in which they were far from disgraced and which saw another improved performance from the batsmen.
Skipper Adam Roylance hit a fine half century and Dan Osborne, batting at number eight, hit an excellent 43 not out as Grappers posted 212-9.
The visitors reached their target for the loss of six wickets, with 10 overs to spare despite Albert Pennington and Josh Hayes taking two wickets each.
On Saturday, Grappers have the chance to move out of the relegation zone when they take on Bramhall, the team just seven points above them, at Broad Lane.
A below strength Grappenhall 2nd were well beaten at Marple after the home side posted a formidable 261-4, with Iain Wright and Ben Cagna picking up two wickets each.
Grappers were never in the hunt and were bowled out for 110 with 10 overs remaining.
On Sunday, Grappenhall 3rd, also below strength, were beaten at relegation candidates Oxton.
David Seed and Ben Bravington claimed four wickets each as the home side were dismissed for 155.
But Grappers’ batsmen never built a platform and were eventually bowled out for 132.
In division two, third placed Warrington fought out a draw with leaders Lindow at Walton Lea.
Batting first, Warrington totalled 238-6, with Jonathan Fletcher hitting a fine 101 and Mal Agar contributing an unbeaten 69.
Lindow replied with 190-8, Rob Batey capturing 5-42 and Brad McIntosh 2-50.
Warrington 3rd drew with Bowdon Vale batting first and hitting a formidable 252-4. Lindow never looked like getting the runs and were 143-7 at the close.
Warrington 4th did well to win at Glazebury 2nd where the home side batted first and posted 228-6, Phil McCue hitting 103 not out and Gary Moors 66. But Warrington replied with 230-7, Dave Selvan top scoring with 95 and M Lawton 52.
In the Cheshire League division one Lymm Oughtrington Park were well beaten at Port Sunlight, where the home side batted first and amassed 259-5 as the bowler toiled in the sun. Syed Khan took 2-73.
Lymm replied with 150, Nick Chadbourne hitting 33 and Matthew Bradshaw 28.
Lymm 2nd earned a draw when they took on Port Sunlight at Oughtrington Lane.
The visitors batted first and hit 210-6, Shovan Chatterjee taking 2-39.
Lymm replied with 186-6, Arvind Pillai hitting 51 and Josh Donley 35 not out.
Appleton are just 16 points from the promotion zone after a 74-run victory over Cholmondley at Lyons Lane.
They appeared in trouble at first at 33-3, but a partnership of 125 between Lee Stoll, 69 and Graeme Rowlands, 71, to them back on track and they were able to declare on 234-7.
The visitors were 75-2 at one stage but eventually succumbed to 162 all out
Appleton 2nd were beaten away at Cholmondley 2nds. Opener Chris Morrison hit 51 but received precious little support as Appleton were bowled out for 141.
The home side were 70-5 at one point, but Vijey Mohan hit 59 to take Cholmondley home with three wickets to spare.
Appleton’s 3rd had the game of the day when they chased down 241 with 11 balls to spare to beat Lindow 3rd.
Lindow’s innings of 241-5 was built on the back of an outstaning partnership of 150 between Chalrie Hodge and Tom Wilson who both play for Lindow’s Under-13 side.
John Nesbitt, 74, and Mike Arnold , 42, put on 98 for the first wicket when Appleton batted and a superb unbeaten 64 from 57 balls from Luke Mannion saw the home side reach their target with eight wickets down.
Appletons 4th lost away at 9-man Rostherne. Inzy Rashid scored 39 as the visitors posted 155-7. Rostherne chased the total down with eight balls balls and six wickets to spare.
Stretton, 197-7 earned a draw at home against Wilmslow, 209-5. S Malik was the pick of their batsmen with 57.
Stretton 2nd also drew, hitting 225 at Barrow but then seeing the home hang on at 218-9
Glazebury travelled to Over Peover and hit 122, Jordan Carroll 68, only to see the home side cruise to victory on 124-3, Kyle Keeble, 2-44.
