GRAPPENHALL registered only their second and much needed leaque win in the Vivio Cheshire County League premier division with an emphatic six wicket victory over Marple at Broad Lane.
The win pushed them to third from bottom of the table – but still in the danger zone.
Marple were asked to bat first, and lost a wicket in the first over to Sam Guest, after which there was a partnership of 102 dominated by former Cheshire skipper Albert Hall, who went on to make a fine 109.
But then wickets began to fall regularly with Alex Mathews taking three top order wickets, plus one in the latter part of the innings to finish with 4-37 from 10 overs.
Guest bowled a marathon spell of 27 overs to take a hard earned 4-85. Marple`s 208 all out did`nt look nearly enough on what was an excellent wicket.
Grappenhall`s reply was a mirror image of Marple’s, losing a wicket in the first over with no runs on the board.
Richard Green then joined Jimmy McCoy and a good crowd was treated to one of the finest knocks Jimmy has produced for a while. When he was out, with the score on 106, Jimmy`s contribution was a staggering 95 off 58 deliveries, containing 17 fours and three sixes. Warwick Abrahim joined Richard who now began to flow, and Warwick was looking good until he went for 11.
Next in was Matty Brown making only his second full 1st team appearance. Starting a little nervously his confidence grew, while “Greeny” began to impose himself on Marple’s attack, going on to make a very fine 76, his best of the season thus far, departing with Grappenhall just two short of their victory target.
Matt`s contribution was a well made 28 not out, with two sixes.
The victory was much needed and should prove a morale booster for Grappers.
Grappenhall 2nd were well beaten at Sale where the home side hit 258-6, Stanley Pennington taking 4-57 but then bowled out Grappers for 136, Jamie Bye top scoring with 30.
But Grappenhall 3rd enjoyed a good win at Bramhall, dismissing the home side for 120, with Arran McCabe and David Seed taking three wickets each.
Albert Pennington hit a fine 70 not out as Grappers chased down the runs.
Warrington stay top of division two after a three wicket victory at Congleton.
The home side were in serious trouble at 85-8 but then recovered to 180 thanks to some big hitting by the tail. Nathan Green took 3-46, Ashley Scholes 3-37 and Brad McIntosh 3-51.
Warrington were not looking happy at 60-4 But James Hughes, 42 and Will Fleetwood, 73 put them on course for victory.
In the TACS Partnership Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park picked up an eight wicket victory at Stockport Trinity.
The home side were dismissed for 107 in 37 overs, Blair Weller taking 4-45, Matthew Bradshaw 2-33 and Travis Scholes 2-20.
Lymm coasted to 108-2, Paul Tong hitting 64.
NAIL-BITING CLIMAX
Glazebury’s home game with Westminster Park in the Cheshire Alliance had a nail-biting climax with the game ending in a tie and the honours shared virtually equally.
Both teams scored 141, both lost all 10 wickets and Glazebury batted for 44.5 overs, the visitors batted for 42.3.
Glazebury batted first and owed most of their runs to opener Wayne Hargreaves with a patient 39 and Number Nine batsman Michael Nutkins with a wildfire 37 from 29 balls, including one six.
Westminister Park started brightly and at 105-1 looked well set for victory. But their batting then collapsed and in a tense atmosphere the last wicket fell with the scores level.
Sam Stanier took 3-35, Scott SDparks 3-35 and Dave Acton 2-29.
Glazebury 2nd managed to hang on for a draw at Old Parkonians after the home side had declared on 208-5, Hakeem Dahou taking 3-45.
The visitors replied with 137-7, Ian McCue hitting 26, Dahou 34 and Anthony Mdeulman 28.
