Grappenhall’s disappointing start to cricket season

GRAPPENHALL had a disappointing start when the RSK Cheshire County Cricket League season got under way.
Despite hitting an impressive 233-4, with Grant Hodnett hammering an unbeaten 112, they went down by three wickets at Urmston.
It was a much changed team from last season with four new additions to the club in the line-up including Australian quick bowler Nick Woods.
Former Gloucestershire player Hodnett dominated the Grappenhall innings although he was well supported by Albert Pennington, with 45.
Urmston were struggling at 55-4 at one stage. But the middle order dug-in and they reached their target with seven wickets down and with eight balls remaining.
Grappenhall 2nd got off to the perfect start with a five wicket win at home to Marple. The visitors posted 163 -7, largely thanks to the excellent bowling of Matt Titchard with 4- 22 from 15 overs. Grappers knocked off the runs with 10 overs to spare for the loss of five wickets. Josh Hayes finishing 63 not out.
Grappers 3rd got off to a winning start in their T20 cup campaign against Ashley, with a dominant performance. Grappers posted 179-4 off their 20 overs and dismissed the hosts for 110. Ben Clissold top scored with 74 off 42 balls, ably supported by several promising junior players.
Grappenhall’s home games are now live streamed on their YouTube channel so supporters were able to follow the play wherever they were. The action can be followed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKbOhvboKAE
Warrington started their season in fine style with an eight wicket win over Cheadle Hulme at Walton Lea.
The visitors were bowled out for 109, Chai Gadepalli taking 4-31 and Brad Roden 4-48. Warrington coasted to victory with 112-2, despite losing a wicket before there was a run on the board. Muhammad Abid hit 52 and Richard Lyons 33 not out.
Warrington 2nd lost by five wickets at Cheadle Hulme.
Batting first, they reached 205-7, Charlie Jones top scoring with 54 not out. And skipper Tom Jones 37. When the home side batted, Raj Soni took 3-17 in nine overs but Cheadle Hulme reached their target with three balls to spare.
In the UKFast Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park went down 62 runs at home to Wilmslow.
Lymm totalled 181 all out after the visitors had scored 243-8, Travis Scholes 3-54 and Andy Hossack 3-70.
Scholes was the mainstay of the Lymm innings, hammering 91 from 88 balls, including nine fours and four sixes.
Appleton went down by 29 runs against visitors Westminster Park who batted first and totalled 193-9. Moshin Rafique was the pick of the Appleton bowlers with 5-34.
Openers Martin Cooper, 43 and Adam Pearson got Appleton off to a solid start but in the end they were held to 164-7.
Appleton 2nd won by one wicket at Wirrall, where the home side batted first and reached 203-9. Appleton claimed the honours with 206-9.
Appleton 3rd lost by seven wickets at Lindow despite dismissing the home side for 85. In reply they were all o ut for 82.
But Appleton 4 registered a fine 69 run victory over Irby where veterans David Hurst, 31 and Antony Hurst, 94 not out put them on course for a total of 181-6. The visitors were all out for 112, with Terry Major taking 5-15
Glazebury lost by 17 runs in a keenly contested game at home to Kerridge.
The visitors were all out for 185, Sam Stanier taking 4-28. Glazebury vinished on 168-9, despite a blistering 77 from Andy Calvert and solid innings of 31 from Jordan Carroll and 30 from Sean Caine.
Glazebury 2nd lost by eight wickets at Urmston after batting first and totalling 126-9. Top scorer was Dave Nicholson with an unbeaten 49. The home side lost just two wickets reaching their target.
Women’s cricket
APPLETON made an impressive start to their season in the Cheshire Women’s League with a nine wicket victory at Stockport Trinity.
Georgia Heath took 2-14 and Annie Rashid 2-15) as they restricted Trinity to 110 – less thjan three runs an over.
A rapid partnership between Emma Barlow, 53 retired and Holly McCurrie, 26 retired, took Appleton to 111-1.