GRAPPENHALL lost their third match in a row – but remained optimistic despite being rooted at the bottom of the Cheshire County League division one table.
The club have lost a number of key players, who moved on after the Broad Lane side were relegated from the ECB premier division last year.
This has meant a number of younger, relatively inexperienced players have found themselves playing 1st XI cricket and, despite the disappointing results so far, have acquitted themselves pretty well.
Add to that the fact that the first three fixtures pitted them against some of the stonger teams in the division so club officials believe they have every reason to be hopeful.
“Some of our youngsters are getting a chance to play at a higher level which they would not have had if the more senior players had stayed with us,” a club spokesman said.
“We think things will get better as the season continues.”
Grappers went down by 81 runs at home to Stockport Georgians after putting the visitors in.
Georgians hit a challenging 231-8 despite the youthful attack bowling consistently. Zach Tully, with 3-43 was the pick of the bowlers.
Grappenhall’s reply started well, with 67 on the board before a wicket fell. Openers Daniel Adkins and Sam Trumper hit 31 and 29 respectively.
But after that wickets fell regularly and although several batters made promising starts none were able to build a match-winning innings. In the end, they were all out for 150 in just under 47 overs.
In division three, Warrington continued their excellent start to the season with a closely fought victory over Hawk Green at Walton Lea.
The visitors won the toss and chose to bat first, hitting a respectable 218-9.
Gadepalli was the most effective of Warrington’s bowlers with 3-24.
Warrington got off to a less than promising start, with three wickets down for 30 runs. But then Harley Barratt with 50, Jim Lewis 40 not out, Brad MacIntosh 48 and skipper Brad Roden 28 not out to take the side to 219-7 with five balls to spare.
In the Cheshire League division one, Lymm Oughtrington Park won by 68 runs at home to Northwich.
Opener Antonelli Atwell hit 33 and Chris Oakes 43 as Lymm hit 173-9.
The visitors were dismissed for 105 in the 25th over, with M Rafique taking 6-43.
In division two, Appleton went down by two wickets in an exciting match at home to Bunbury, despite hitting a promising 222-8, with Ian Richards hammering a superb 128, including 16 fours and six sixes.
John Hill took 4-22 as Bunbury replied with 223-8.
In division three, Glazebury lost by 172 runs at Offerton, after the home side had hit a daunting 194-7. Jacob Kenyon, 3-30 and Sean Caine 3-46 were Glazebury’s most successful bowlers.
Glazebury replied with 122, opener Andy Calvert top scoring with 42 and veteran Simon Green contributing 32.
Other matches: Warrington 3rd won by three wickets at Northwich; Lymm Oughtrington Park 2nd won by three wickets at Maritime; Appleton 4th lost by 41 runs at Chester County Officers; Warrington 4th lost by 106 runs at home to Wirral; Appleton 3rd lost by 24 runs at home to Heaton Mersey Village.
