GRAPPENHALL lost both openers without a run on the board when they batted first at Sale – but then went on to register one of their highest totals of the season in the Cheshire County League.
Pete Barnes hit a magnificent 107, well supported by Daniel Adkins, 33 and Tom Brimelow, 39 to set the team on the way to a highly respectable 255-8 in 50 overs.
Sadly it proved to be not enough with the home side reaching their target for the loss of four wickets and Grappers still searching for their first win of the season and staring at relegation to division two.
But it was an encouraging performance and could mean the side will not have to wait much longer for that elusive victory.
In division three, Warrington got back to winning ways with a nail-biting victory at Middlewich.
Batting first, Warrington totalled 204-7, Liam Jenkins top-scoring with 68 and James Lewis, 31 and Charlie Jones, 30, making useful contributions.
The home side started well with 44 on the board before a wicket fell.
The runs kept coming and the total rising and at 203-8, Middlewich looked to be heading for victory. But two wickets fell without a run being scored, leaving Warrington victors by one run.
Jenkins took 3-39 to complete a match-winning all-round performance and Aamir Ali took 3-52.
In the Cheshire League division one, Lymm Oughtrington Park went down disappointingly at Bredbury St Marks.
They were bowled out for 75 in the 38th over after the home side had hit 165-8.
K Meghara, 4-44 and A Atwell, 3-39 were the pick of the Lymm bowlers.
Appleton won by five wickets at Kingsley after bowling the home side out for 121, Aamir Akash taking 7-17.
Ian Richards hammered 81 not out as Appleton cantered to 125-5.
Glazebury lost by a massive 172 runs at home to Burton after the Wirral side batted first and hit 234-7. Sean Caine took 3-44.
A below-strength Glazebury were then tumbled out for 62, with 25 of them coming from last man Andrew Wilby who ended the match unbeaten.
Other matches
Grappenhall 2nd 156 Sale 157
Grappenhall 3rd 154 Didsbury 227
Warrington 2nd 250 Ashton-on-Mersey 257-8
Warrington 3rd 165 Macclesfield 144
Warrington 4th 211 Irby 154
Grappenhall 2nd 156 Sale 157
Grappenhall 3rd 154 Didsbury 227
Appleton 2nd 206-6 Maritime 157
Appleton 3rd 43 Ashley 193-7
Appleton 4 130-6 Frodsham 126-8
Glazebury 2nd 186-9 Bowdon Vale 191-4
