GRAPPENHALL failed to take their chance of moving into top spot when they were beaten at Neston in Cheshire County Premier League on Saturday due to a poor performance from the batting order.

Neston opted to bat first in a game reduced to 37 overs due to morning rain, and Josh McClelland, 1 for 20, made an immediate impact bowling out Neston opening batsman for none.

Sam Guest bowled 18 overs taking 4 for 85, while the best figures came from Albert Pennington as he took 4 for 21 in eight overs as Neston reached 158 for 9.

Pennington was also the top run-scorer with 24 as Grappenhall struggled to reach the achievable target of 158.

Openers Adam Roylance, 22, and Liam Parkinson, 19, made a solid start until a disastrous collapse left it to Pennington to restore some pride.

Grappenhall were bowled out for 120 in the 34th over.