GRAPPENHALL seconds were beaten by Urmston in the Cheshire County Cricket League Second XI Premier Division on Saturday.

The first wicket fell with the score on 38 and brought second team debutant Michael Parton to the crease who immediately showed his class and dominated the Urmston bowling attack posting a huge knock of 131.

Grappenhall were confident after posting a total of 249 but Urmston got off to a good chase racing to 60 off the first nine overs.

Skipper Matt Titchard got the breakthrough with his first ball and continued to bowl tight to finish with figures of 3 for 55 off 16 overs.

Urmston ended up reaching the target in the 48th over with the loss of just four wickets.

Grappenhall thirds’ bid for survival was aided with a draw against Urmston on Sunday in the Cheshire County Cricket League 3rd XI Sunday Premier Division.

Grappenhall batted first and posted a very good target of 258 for 6.

Mark Tyerman’s dismissal for 13 early on saw the introduction of Albert Pennington, 78, who joined skipper Rob Slater, 126, at the crease and supported him to his first century of the season.

Grappenhall’s bowling attack got off to a blistering start in reply with Stan Pennington, 2 for 17, and Sean Phillips, 1 for 28, getting a wicket each early on and reduce Urmston to 3 for 2.

Urmston defended well and posted 170 for 8.