Disastrous start to season for Grappenhall

GRAPPENHALL’S season in the Vivio Cheshire County League premier division got off to a disastrous start as they suffered a nine wicket defeat at home to Cheadle.
After being asked to bat first they were bowled out for a disappointing 120 with only four batsmen reaching double figures.
Brothers Albert and Arthur Pennington, with 32 and 23 respectively, were the only batsmen to offer much resistance as Grappers were dismissed in 44.3 overs.
The visitors cantered to victory in 37.5 overs, losing only one wicket to Ian Hall.
It was a disappointing debut for new overseas recruit Olly Knight who was dismissed for a duck and then failed to take a wicket as his 11 overs cost 32 runs.
Grappers failed to pick up a single point from the game so start their season at the bottom of the table.
Grappenhall 2nd also suffered a heavy defeat at Cheadle where they were tumbled out for 77, chasing the home side’s 207.
Debutant Graeme Rowlands top scored with 30 and part-time bowler Jack Critchley took four wickets and young debutant Lewis Porter took two.
But the weekend clearly leaves Grappers with plenty of hard work to do ahead of Saturday’s tough trip to champions Nantwich.
In division two, Warrington also got off to a disappointing start, going down by two wickets at home to Congleton.
Batting first, they were dismissed for 115, Tom Higham top scoring with 35.
The visitors also struggled for runs but reached their target for the loss of eight wickets. Jonathan Fletcher took 3-23, Ashley Scholes 2-38 and Rob Batey 2-22.
Warrington 2nd got their season off with a five wicket victory at Oxton, dismissing the home side for 127 and then knocking off the runs for the loss of five wickets.
Simon Hewitt took 4-51 and Rishav Manta turning in a fine all-round performance with 2-12 and then a swashbuckling unbeaten 50.
In the UKFast Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park were held to a draw by Stockport Trinity.
Batting first, Lymm reached 145-7 but although Trinity never looked likely to win they held out for a draw on 127-8.
Lymm Oughtrington Park 2nd hit a creditable 199-9, Steve Knowles top scoring with 66 and Christopher Harris 37. But hosts Upton replied with 201-6, despite Mohammed Wali’s 3-15.
Newly-promoted Appleton suffered a crushing defeat against league new boys Hawk Green at Lyons Lane. Batting first, the visiting side looked in trouble at 94-4, but Appleton failed to take another wicket and Hawk Green finished on 246-4 from their 45 overs. Appleton’s reply never got going and they crumbled to just 57 all out.
Appleton’s 2nd also suffered a defeat as they went down to a three wicket loss at Maritime.
Despite 41 from Ed Sygrove, Appleton struggled to find rhythm on a slow pitch, eventually succumbing for just 104. However they fought back strongly with the ball, Aamir Rashid taking 4-22 as Maritime eventually stumbled to their target in the 33rd over with seven wickets down.
Appleton 3rd completed an unhappy opening day to the season for the club as they went down by sevven wickets at Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge 2nd. Only Jonathan Owen with 36 not out offered resistance as the visitors were bowled out for exactly 100. Despite some early chances, Ladybridge reached their target inside 29 overs.
Glazebury got their season off to a winning start at Hurst Lane, dismissing Bowdon Vale for a meagre 46, paceman Sam Stanier taking 6-21.
The home side replied with 48-1, Jordan Carroll hitting 31.