WARRINGTON kept up the pressure on leaders Lindow in the Vivio Cheshire County League division two.
A three-wicket win over third-placed Congleton away from home kept them in second place.
Congleton batted first and were held to 187-8, Brad McIntosh taking 3-53 and James Rudd 3-34.
Warrington did not find runs easy to get, but McIntosh completed a fine all-round performance by top scoring with 62 and opener Jamie Bye hit 29 to take them to 188-7.
It is a little too soon to describe the division two title chase as a two-horse race, but Warrington are edging ahead of the rest of the pack and just need Lindow to slip up to have a chance of top spot.
Warrington 2nd raced to an eight wicket victory over Oxton who batted first at Walton Lea and were bowled out for 87, Shashwat Rusia taking 5-32.
Greg Sowerby hit 32 not out and Patrick Tyrell 28 not out as Warrington cruised to 88-2.
In the premier division, Grappenhall’s bowlers showed the sort of fight they need if they are to stay in the top flight.
They lost at Cheadle by only two wickets, but this was entirely due to the bowlers who did their best to make up for another dismal batting display.
Grappers were dismissed for a disappointing 128, with Ben Bodha top scoring with 38 and skipper Adam Roylance hitting 28.
But the bowlers all turned in good performances and with half the Cheadle side out for 50 Grappers were still in with a chance.
A partnership of 65 turned the tables, however, and the home side ended up victors with two wickets to spare.
Olly Knight took 2-41, Arran McCabe 2-14 and Roylance 2-26.
The defeat left Grappers still rooted at the bottom of the table and needing a major resurgence if they are to avoid the drop.
The 2nd XI game at Broad Lane also went Cheadle’s way.
Cheadle posted 206-5 – a total that always looked too much for a side short on batting. Jack Critchley was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-48.
Grappers were rolled-over for 108, with Paul Radage, 36 and Critchley, 34 not out, the only batsmen showing anything like form.
A defeat for Grappers’ 3rd XI rounded off a dismal weekend for the club.
Batting first on a poor wicket, Grappers were all out for 141 having recovered from 75-7 at one stage. Paul Tyreman top scored with 30.
Some ill-disciplined bowling enabled Hyde to chase down the runs with with six overs and four wickets to spare. David Seed was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets.
In the UKFast Cheshire League, Lymm Oughtrington Park were tumbled out for 99 at Stocktport Trinity. Blake Munilla batted well for 44 and Travis Scholes h it 22.
Nick Chadbourne took 5-25 as Lymm almost got themselves back into the match but the home side sneaked victory with one wicket to spare.
Appleton are still seeking their first win but picked up vital points away at Hawk Green. Batting first against some quality bowling, Appleton struggled to 141-9 from their 45 overs. Ali Shariff hit 58. In response, Josh Hampson hit 74 for the hosts as they romped home inside 28 overs.
Appleton 2nd were also defeated at Lyons Lane by Maritime. Having been 97-1 after 25 overs, a middle-order collapse saw the hosts bowled out for 154. A 120 run partnership between Khanna and Naseem saw Maritime home with 16 overs to spare.
A miserable weekend for Appleton was completed when the 4th XI slumped to defeat at Holmes Chapel.
David Lomas hit 71 in a stand of 115 for the second wicket with Marcus Pepper, 48, but the middle order struggled to keep up the momentum and Appleton could only post 153-5 from their 40 overs. In response, with some controversial umpiring decisions, Holmes Chapel reached their target with two overs to spare.
Appleton 3rd picked up 25 points when their opposition were unable to raise a team.
Stretton won by five wickets at Middlewich after holding the home side to 140-9. Ali Zubain took 3-37.
The visitors reached their target in 35 overs, Mohammed Yousuf hitting 63 not out.
Glazebury picked up a useful win against Bowdon Vale at Hurst Lane.
Batting first, openers Anthony Meulman and Jack Warhurst hit 28 each and put on 41 for the first wicket. But after that there was a collapse, only Hakeem Dahou, 19, reaching double figures until last man Troi Sequeira hit a blistering 29, including two sixes and three fours to take the final total to 138.
The visitors were bowled out for 96, Sam Stanier taking 4-33 and Sequeira 3-21.
Glazebury 2nd went down at Rostherne after a hard fought battle.
The home side hit 191-8 in 40 overs.
Ian Black hit 65 as Glazebury replied with 176.
Warrington 3rd lost by six wickets at Timperley and Warrington 4th were beaten at home by Winnington Park.
WOMEN’S CRICKET
APPLETON 2nd made a valiant attempt to defend a small total but were eventually beaten with just one ball to spare in their Cheshire Women’s League division two game with Leigh.
Batting first, Appleton were all out for 83 in 34 overs, Abbey Gore top scoring with 30.
Leigh had to fight hard for runs but eventually reached their target for the loss of seven wickets. Pick of the Appleton bowlers was Emily Page with 2-19.
In the Knockout Cup quarter final, Appleton lost out to Porthill Park who hit 106-9 despite good bowling by Georgia Heath, 2-10 and Annie Rashid, 2-25.
Appleton could only muster 85-8. Heath top-scoring with 25 retired.
In the Development Knockout Cup quarter final, Lymm Oughtrington Park were held to 69-9 by Lindow who reached their target for the loss of six wickets.
