Grappenhall were the big winners on Saturday when they were the only club in the top six to come away with a win, which lifted them up to second place in the ECB Premier League table, 28 points behind leaders Hyde at the season’s half-way mark.
Rain hit the region again and many games were reduced in length, such as at Urmston where a maximum of only 70 overs’ play was possible. Urmston scored 180 for four off 35 after being inserted, Lewis Jackson 61 not out.
To which Grappenhall replied with an impressive 181 for three in rapid time, James McCoy 65, Liam Parkinson 44, plus a key unbeaten 29 from skipper Richard Green. Grappenhall have now won as many games (six) as the leaders.
Up at the top, meanwhile, Hyde failed to take the 10th wicket at Marple and had to be content with 11 draw points, opting to bat first and totalling 177, Rob Brierley 55, Dave Fitzsimmons 50, Andy Greasley 4-36, Andy Wylie 4-43.
Marple replied with 155 for nine, Mark Bennett 36, Andy Mummery 34, number nine batsman Matt Whittaker holding out for a match-saving 28. Jason Whittaker claimed 4-55 and Matt Hanna 4-72.
Toft leaped up to third place with an impressive five wickets home win in a high-scoring game against Alderley Edge, who posted an impressive 236 for nine, Alan Day 85, Calum Rowe 47, James Drummond 3-19. The in-form Rob Jones lad Toft’s charge after tea to reach 237 for five off 51 overs with an unbeaten 85, aided by James Drummond 55.
Inconsistent Chester Boughton Hall came near to their fifth defeat and need to pull their socks up in the season’s second half if they are to successfully defend their title. They were roundly outplayed by bottom club Oxton to the tune of 14 – 4 points in a rain induced draw over 70 overs.
Oxton posted 159 for six, Saaiq Choudhry 88, Alex Money 44, to which CBH responded with 84 for eight, top scorer Steve Ogilby with 29. Their batsmen had little answer to the experienced attack of Glenn Querl, 4-34 and Gayan Fernando, 4-35.
There is no respite for Neston, whose performances resolutely fail to improve to the concern of skipper David Hurst et al. They lost by 71 runs at home to Bramhall in a 74 overs game, their visitors knocking up 207 for six, Matt Begbie 88, Matthew Jamieson 41. Neston started well at 76 for one, but two disastrous run outs changed their fortunes and they were all out for 136. Richard Wilkinson top-scored with 36, while Vishal Tripathi took 3-39 and Simon Wilkinson 3-50
Nantwich are moving smartly away from danger with an improved run of form, illustrated by a seven wickets home victory over Bowdon. Only Oliver Newby, 60 came off in Bowdon’s below par tally of 142, Jimmy Warrington 5-41, Ollie Griffiths 4-44. Man of the moment Liam Livingstone stroked a lively unbeaten 89 as the Dabbers coasted home by seven wickets.