WARRINGTON suffered a heavy defeat at home to Bramhall in the RSK Cheshire County League.
The visitors won the toss and asked Warrington to bat first – a decision which was swiftly shown to be a wise one.
Warrington were reduced to 24-3 – and things did not get better. Wickets fell at regular intervals and runs were hard to come by. Tom Higham, 21, was top scorer and the only batsman to reach 20 as the side were bowled out for 98 in 45 overs.
Jake Liddle struck early on to have Bramhall 10-1 but only one more wicket fell and the visitors ran out victors by eight wickets.
Grappenhall’s match against Congleton was cancelled due to a COVID outbreak within the opposition team – the second week in succession this had happened to Grappers lst XI.
But Grappenhall 2nd won a one-side contest at Upton where they batted first and posted an impressive 216-for 6 declared off 47 overs.
Ben Bodha hit a superb century, carrying his bat throughout the innings and he was supported by Ben Clissold with a powerful 41.
Upton were never really in the game and wickets fell regularly throughout as Grappers rolled over their hosts for just 119, winning by 97 runs. Part time off-spinner Alex Perry was the pick of the bowlers finishing with 5-28 off nine overs.
Grappenall 3rd battled valiantly to fight for a draw at table topping Toft.
The home side batted first and posted a mammoth 240-2declared in 42 overs with both openers hitting tons.
It wasa tough slog for Grappers’ bowlers in the searing temperatures. With a run chase unlikely they set about restoring some pride and grafted throughout. Some superb stroke play later on in the innings by David Seed and Max Sleigh, both reaching 50 gave Grappers a remote chance of victory but a flurry of wickets saw them finish on 214- 8.
In the UKFast Cheshire League, Appleton won a low-scoring contest with Wilmslow at Lyons Lane.
Batting first, Appleton were dismissed for what seemed an inadequate 130. But the visitors also struggled for runs and were dismissed for 101
Appleton 2nd lost by two wickets in a closely-fought game at Chester Boughton Hall after electing to bat first but being held to 182-5.
The home side replied with 185-8 with two overs to spare.
Appleton 3rd won by four wickets against Europa Exiles. The visitors batted first and hit 180-8, with Jonathan Owen, 4-34 and Chris Tomlinson, 3-37, the pick of the Appleton bowlers.
The loss of two quick wickets meant Appleton got off to a shakey start, but then John Porter, 44, Jonathan Owen 39 and Ben Sedman, 48 not out took them to 186-6.
Appleton 4th won at Frodsham where the home side elected to bat first and were held to 159-7.
Opener David Hurst hit an unbeaten 94 as Appleton won by six wickets on 163-4. He got good support from Paul Dempster, 35 and skipper Marcus Pepper, 28.
Lymm Oughtrington Park lost at home to Heaton Mersey after their top order batsmen failed.
At 18-5 it looked an early finish. But the lower order resisted, led by Matt Lucas, 24 and Matthew Bradshaw and Andy Hossack, 22 each and they eventually reached 126.
The visitors lost six wickets reaching their modest target, Phil Whelan taking 3-18.
Glazebury lost at home to Saughall after electing to bat first and totalling 174-8.
Jack Warhurst top scored with 36 and there were useful innings from Wayne Hargreaves, 27 Sam Stanier, 29 and John Brunt, 28. Saughall replied with 180-7 despite Stanier taking 4-28.
Glazebury 2nd lost at Irby after being asked to bat first and totalling 141.
Stephen Brunt hit 37, M Khan 30 and Alex Wort 26.
The home side’s reply came almost exclusively from Tom Jones who hit a blistering, unbeaten 112, with 10 fours and nine sixes. They won with 142-4 – with only one other batsman reaching double figures.
