WARRINGTON lost both openers without a run on the board at home to Stockport – an early sign of things to come.
A third wicket fell with only one run scored and although things picked up after that with fine innings from Mike Rudd, 50, Ashley Scholes, 43 and Tom Higham, 36., enabling the side to reach a respectable all-out total of 217 it was not enough to deny the visitors a three-wicket victory.
Warrington’s bowlers performed well but Stockport reached their target in the 49th over.
Travelling to Port Sunlight, Warrington 2nd went down by 48 runs after the home side had hammered 284-5.
Opener Rohit Kumar hit 106 when Warrington replied, but he received little support and the side were all out for 236 in the 49th over.
Warrington 3rd lost by 130 at Bredbury St Marks and Warrington 4th lost by 23 runs hosting Rostherne.
Grappenhall lost by 74 runs at Davenham.
Jason Batson took 3-38 as the home side hit 283-5 and followed it up with an aggressive 82 but Grappers were all out for 209.
Grappenhall 2nd won by eight wickets hosting Heaton Mersey, who batted first and were all out for 139, Adam Edwards and Ross Arrowsmith taking three wickets each.
Sam Trumper hit 76 not out as Grappenhall replied with 140-2.
Lymm Oughtrington Park lost by two wickets hosting Barnton.
Batting first they hit 184-9, Antonell Atwell top-scoring with 78 and then taking 3-51 as visitors replied with 185-8.
Appleton won by two wickets hosting Aston at Lyons Lane.
The visitors won the toss and chose to bat, reaching 155 before the final wicket fell. Pick of the Appleton bowlers were Aspin Gopi, 3-36 and Mansoor Safi, 3-32.
Josh Hill hit 46 and skipper Ian Richards 42 as Appleton replied with 158-8 in a match which could have gone either way.
Appleton 2nd won by 14 runs in another closely fought duel at Chester Boughton Hall.
Batting first, Appleton hit 158-9. M Yaseen dominating the innings with a well-struck 102 and opener Oliver Cross hitting 50.
The home side reached 244/
Appleton 4th, 141-9 went down by four wickets against Chester County Officers.
Glazebury, 137 all out, went down by four wickets, hosting Wistaston Village. Top scorer was Anthony Meulman, with 39.
Glazebury 2nd went down heavily at Weaverham, who batted first and made 229-7. Glazebury were all out for 89.
