GRAPPENHALL first’s winning run came to an end with a defeat to Nantwich in the Cheshire County Cricket Premier League on Saturday.

Adam Roylance helped give Grappenhall a good total with a knock of 45 but a weakened bowling attack could not stop the away side from easing to the 181 target and claiming the points.

Roylance, 45, set his side off with a solid foundation with support from James McCoy, 23, and Liam Parkinson,,26, after the home side chose to bat first on an inviting wicket.

The Nantwich bowling attack forced a collapse in the middle order with a flurry of wickets leaving the home side teetering on 135 for 8.

Gaz Burns, 23, and Sam Baxter, 20, provided some welcome rearguard action adding 40 for the ninth wicket and pushing Grappenhall’s total to 180 all out to give the home side some hope of a fourth consecutive victory.

Grappenhall were missing their in-form bowler Josh McClelland due to injury but still managed to claim an early breakthrough via Sam Guest who finished with 1 for 38.

The visitors kicked on and set a solid partnership, adding 113 for the second wicket and setting themselves up for the win.

Grappenhall were given a glimmer of hope when Burns, 1 for 45, and Baxter, 1 for 26, added to their strong batting performances with a wicket each but Nantwich held firm and reached the required total with seven wickets to spare.