GRAPPENHALL are effectively relegated from the premier division of the Vivio Cheshire County League after another heavy defeat left them with only a mathematical hope of escaping the drop.
With only two matches remaining, both away from home, Grappenhall would need to win them both and then rely on third-from bottom Bramhall collecting less than three points from their last two games.
There was a distinctly end-of-season look about the Grappers side that travelled to Nantwich with only 10 players.
Winning the toss, they asked the hosts to bat first and then saw them amass 303-6 in 51 overs. Grappers’ most successful bowler was Albert Pennington with 2-96.
After tea, Grappenhall were bowled out for 179 with only opening James McCoy, who hit an aggressive 77 and Ian Hall, 48, offering any resistance.
The win propelled Nantwich to second place in the league table.
Grappenhall 3rd got the better of a drawn game at Toft after electing to bat first and reaching 193-9 in 45 overs. Ben Bodha hit a fine 75 after Grappers had lost three cheap wickets and Avid Seed hit an unbeaten 28 late on.
The Knutsford side replied with 164-7, also in 45 overs. Arran McCabe took 2-29, Lucas Flanagan 2-19 and skipper Paul Tyerman 2.34
In division two, Warrington moved closer to promotion when beat Brooklands by six wickets at Walton Lea.
The visitors were bowled out for 168 after being asked to bat first. Nathan Green took 4-39 and Ashley Scholes 3-37 for Warrington.
Opener Malcolm Agar hit 64 and Adam Green 57 as Warrington strolled to 171-4 in 45.4 overs.
Warrington 2nd hung on for a draw at Brooklands after the home side had hit 218-8. Phil Whelan took 3-28. Warrington were 196-9 at the close with Simon Swain top scoring with 67 and Tom Higham hitting 39.
Warrington 4th were denied victory at Ashley after hitting 237-4, David Lee scoring 54 and Arshan Dadrawalla 82 not out. The home side were hanging on at 112-9 at the close. John Burgess took 4-8.
In the Cheshire Alliance, Stretton maintained progress towards promotion in the division one title race, beating Saughall by three wickets.
Saughall were held to 163-6 and Stretton raced to 164-7 in 30.4 overs.
Glazebury raced to 193-6 at Trafford Metrovics, Kyle Keeble top scoring with 50, Wayne Hargreaves hitting 38 and Tom Wilkinson 38.
The home side were bowled out for 107 with the evergreen Jon Gibbons taking 6-19 and Dave Acton 3-14.
Glazebury 2nd defeated Port Sunlight by 106 runs at Hurst Lane, after batting first and declaring on 202-5. Michael Nutkins hit 42, Sam Stanier 61 and Scott Sparks 42 not out. The visitors were bowled out for 96, Sam Stanier taking 4-10.
Appleton 4th entertained Mossley and came away winners by four wickets.
Mossley declared on 168-8, Marcus Pepper taking 4-17. Appleton replied with 169-6, opener Tim Parker top scoring with 61 not out.
Appleton 4th went down by nine wickets at Saughall after being bowled out for 55.
Grappers all but down and out
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