Warrington drop to second place after drawn game

WARRINGTON’S brief tenure at the top of the Vivio Chester County League division two ended when they were held to a draw at home.
Visitors Hale Barns hammered a formidable 242-5  with Malcolm Agar, 2-15 the most successful bowlers.
Warrington, without the prolific Jonathan Fletcher, struggled for runs and ended up on 157-5 without ever being in the chase.
Jamie Bye top scored with 65 not out and Agar, in his more familiar role as an opener, hit 33.
Warrington 2nd also drew at Romily where the home side batted first and h it 194-6, S Joji 3-39.
After tea, Warrington’s batsmen never got into their stride and finished on 142-7.
Brad Roden hit 33 and Phil Whelan 30 not out.
The result meant Warrington dropped to second place in the league, as rivals Lindow picked up a 25-point victory to climb six points ahead.
In the premier division, Grappenhall’s game at Alderley Edge was rained off.
But the 2nd XI game went ahead at Broad Lane went ahead with visitors Alderley Edge batting first and hitting 221-4.
Grappers were bowled out for 162 with Jack Critchley, 40 not out and Russell Walker 31.
Grappenhall 3rd XI took a mauling at the hands of Nantwich who hit 181-8, and then bowled Grappers out for 81.
Best bowlers for Grappenhall were Lewis Porter, 2-39 and David Seed, 2-28 while the only batsmen to reach double figures were Seed, 20 and Francis Young, 24.
In the UKFast Cheshire League, a three wicket defeat at Haslington left Lymm Oughtrington Park hovering precariously above the relegation zone in division one.
They were tumbled out for 65, with Liam Ramsbottoms unbeaten 17 the top score.
The home side hit off the runs for the loss of seven wickets, despite Nick Chadbournes 5-27.
Stretton went down by 83 runs at Hawk Green after being bowled out for 62.
Appleton had a week to forget as the three teams which played were all bowled out for under 100.
The First XI were bowled out for 88 against Middlewich  who romped to their target in 27 overs for the loss of just 3 wickets.
Appleton 2nd let a decent platform slip after 46 from Dave Hurst helped them post 74-2 at The Groves. Then a disastrous middle order collapse saw the innings crumble to 96 all out. Despite reducing their host to 6-3 in response, Appleton couldn’t get the necessary wickets and The Groves cruised home with six wickets and 20 overs to spare.
Appleton 4th fell agonisingly short of victory at Haslington. Despite bowling their hosts out for 79, thanks to five wickets for Harry Sygrove, the they could only muster 73 all out in response.
Glazebury’s match was rained off.