Warrington stay in touch with 25pt victory

WARRINGTON racked up a 25 point victory over Runcorn at Walton Lea in the Vivio Cheshire County League division two.
The victory kept them in fourth place in the division and still in touch with the leaders.
Dan Rudd top scored with 58 and there were useful knocks from Brad McIntosh, 32 and Malcolm Agar, 28 as Warrington totalled 201-8.
The visitors were soon in trouble but the tail hit out and they eventually reached a respectable 160 to make a game of it. Ashley Scholes took 3-42 and McIntosh 3-26.
Warrington 2nd came out on top in a close fought game at Widnes after the home side batted first and totalled 149. Isaac Webster took 3-43 and U Zeb 4-34.
It wasn’t a good weekend for Grappenhall with all three teams losing to Nantwich. The 1st XI batted poorly to post only 150-5 with only Ben Bodha really showing anything like form with 86, well supported by Josh Hayes. Nantwich chased down the runs in quick time for the loss of four wickets.
The 2nd XI game was very similar at Nantwich as Grappers posted 170 and Nantwich coasted to victory for the loss of three wickets with plenty of time to spare.
It was left to the 3rd XI to put up a decent fight but they fell short of Nantwich’s 195 by five runs.
In the Cheshire Cricket League, Lymm Oughtrington Park earned a draw in a remarkable game at home to Ashton-on-Mersey.
The visitors batted first and amassed 278-5 as Lymm’s bowlers toiled in the sun. Sean Galbraith took 3-57.
At 72-6, Lymm appeared to be fighting a lost cause but Jack Hughes hit a solid 51 and Matthew Bradshaw an amazing 104 not out from 52 balls and including six sixes to carry the side to 205-8 and earn a draw.
Lymm 2nd won by eight wickets at Woodford, restricting the home side to 190-5 and hitting off the runs with two overs to spare.
Glazebury lost by nine wickets after being bowled out for 109 by Knutsford at Hurst Lane. Sam Stanier, 39 and Paul Warhurst, 25 led the batting.
But after Stanier trapped the visitors’ opener lbw, Glazebury could make no further impression.
Glazebury 2nd lost narrowly at Knutsford after being put in first and totalling 188-8.
Knutsford reached their target with their last pair at the wicket and in the final over. Jack Whitehead took 3-31 and Wayne Hargreaves 3-24.
Appleton got back to winning ways with a comprehensive demolition of Wilmslow Wayfarers. Appleton bowled their hosts out for just 66 with Andrew Jackson taking three wickets. They then chased down their target in just 12 overs, with Ian McAuley hitting 41 not out.
But Appleton 2nd lost at home to Upton. Despite posting a total of 180-7 in their 45 overs, Appleton could only take five wickets as their hosts chased down the total.
Appleton 3rd were also beaten at home by Heaton Mersey Village. John Porter 61 not out and Paul White,52 shared a partnership of 97 as the host ran up 165-5 off their 45 overs. Despite two wickets for Jess Lewis, HMV reached their target in the 44th over.
Appleton 4th had the game of the weekend with a thrilling last ball victory at Ashley Academy. They visitors racked up 165-7 with Phil Pugh hitting 45. Ashley lost their last wicket off the last ball of the game to finish 161 all out.