Grange make a hash of chasing modest target (From Warrington Guardian)

Grange make a hash of chasing modest target

GRANGE suffered a miserable weekend as their home game with Rostherne fell victim to the weather which left them off the pace at the top of the Cheshire Alliance Division Three table.

Worse was to follow 24 hours later as the team made a complete hash of chasing a modest target against Division One side Chester County Officers and promptly exited the league's cup competition at the hands of the holders.

Chester decided to bat first but were soon in trouble as three early strikes from Matt Wilcock and another from Liam Fletcher had them floundering at 23 runs for the loss of four wickets.

A fine partnership of 62 for the next wicket seemed to have brought the holders back into the contest but then Grange tore through their lower order to bowl out the visitors for 123.

Wilcock took five wickets for 23 runs in his eight overs.

Grange should have had more than enough batting strength to get themselves into the quarter-finals but they too lost crucial early wickets and also found themselves at 23-4.

Dave Mason, 21, top scored for the home side as Grange crumbled to 89 all out.

Grange Seconds chalked up one of their biggest victories at Appleton Thirds.

Grange amassed 254-5 in their 48 overs. A superb innings of 96 from Howard Sellars was the high point.

In reply, Appleton had no answer to Grange's opening attack as Carl Peters and Carl Evans bowled a devastating spell to completely overwhelm the home side. Appleton were all out for 11 runs.

Grange's Sunday side pulled off a superb win at Whitefield. Gary Moors, 22 and Chris Soilan, 20 not out, were the only batsmen to find any form on a difficult pitch as Grange posted 120 - nine more than their opponents from Liverpool.