GRAPPENHALL’S season in the Cheshire County League division one got off to a disastrous start with a 144-run defeat at the hands of near neighbours Toft.
Both sides had been relegated from the ECB premier division last year – Toft trailing behind Grappenhall.
But any thoughts that this would have any meaning in the new season were swiftly dashed when Toft – having been put in after losing the toss – rattled up a daunting 300-9.
Arran McCabe’s 2-37 was the pick of the Grappers bowling figures.
Any hopes that Grappenhall’s batters could retaliate were swiftly dashed when they were bowled out for 156 in 36 overs.
And but for the efforts of wicket-keeper batsman William Fell the defeat would have been even more embarrassing.
He hit a defiant 100 in 102 minutes – with only one other batter, Zac Judge, with 19, reaching double figures
Warrington, returning to the County League on the bounce, after dominating the Cheshire League last summer, carried on with their winning ways with a fine 113-run win over Hale Barns.
It was all down to an all-round performance from A. Ali who hit 104 as Warrington batted first and hit 257-9 and then took 5-16 as Hale Barns were bowled out for 144.
Newly-promoted Lymm Oughtrington Park found life tough in division one of the Cheshire League.
They were bowled out for 60 in 28.1 overs by Irby, who then coasted to 64-2.
Lymm 2nd enjoyed a big win over Alvanley, however, hitting 257-6 and then dismissing Alvanley for 182.
Appleton started their season well with a comfortable victory over Aston.
Batting first, they hit 153-8, Ian Richards 47, Josh Hill 37 and then bowled out Aston for 132, Stanley Batt 4-20, Mansoor Safi 3-26.
Appleton 2nd lost by five wickets after hitting 114 against Cholmondeley, who hit 116-5.
Glazebury went down by five wickets against Wistaston Village. Batting first, they totalled 116, Andrew Calvert 29, Anthony Meulman 24.
Wistaston replied with 118-5, despite Tom Whitby taking 2-30 and Ryan Warhurst 2-4.
Glazebury 2nd raced to a fine 10-wicket victory after bowling out Heaton Mersey Village for 76.
Vijay Uppani hit 39 not out and Marali Rafanma 31 not out as Glazebury replied with 78-0.
