PICTURES: Struggling Grappers lose to high-flying Edge

The visitors to Broad Lane made it safely to 225 for the loss of only two wickets and, with a trip to Premier Division leaders Toft awaiting them this weekend, Grappers have work to do.

They were put in after losing the toss, with five batsmen making it past 20.

However only one, Warwick Abrahim, went further with a decent 42.

With a fast outfield, and a steady Alderley bowling attack, they had hoped for more than to finish on 224 for 8.

In reply, Alderley raced to 34 before Saqib Mahmood took the first wicket, that of in-form Calum Rowe.

It was 98 runs later when the second fell through a stumping by stand-in wicket-keeper Iain Wright off Warwick's spin.

Edge continued to march on relentlessly towards their victory target, which they duly reached in the 48th over for the loss of two wickets.

Three of the visitors' four batsmen reached half-centuries, with the main plaudits going to 15-year-old Sam Perry who showed great maturity to finish undefeated on 70.

Grappenhall used seven bowlers; of those, the two most economical were Warwick and Gaz Burns, who bowled eight overs between them.

Defeat, their eighth in 14 matches this term, leaves them a point above the drop zone.

Neston, hammered by 178 runs at Nantwich, prop up the standings.

After visiting Toft, Grappenhall will quickly turn their attention to the Joseph Holt Brewery T20 finals day at Upton the following afternoon.

They face holders Chester Boughton Hall in a last-four encounter, starting at midday.

The seconds carried on their good run of form to win at Brooklands by six wickets.

Brooklands were dismissed for 156 on a poor wicket with skipper Matt Titchard doing the damage with 4 for 53 and Ben Cagna with 3 for 33 inside only 46 overs.

Grappers' reply was comprehensive as they reached the victory target with 13 overs to spare for the loss of only four wickets.

Sam Baxter was the match winner with the bat with 50 not out, ably supported by Arthur Pennington with 44.

So a good win reignites the seconds’ chances of promotion back to the top flight.

The thirds ran out comfortable winners against bottom of the table Northwich on Sunday.

Being put into bat on a poor wicket, Northwich were bowled out for a miserable 56 in only 22 overs.

Josh Hayes bowled exceptionally to pick up 4 for 10 in his six-over spell while the rest of the wickets were shared around against and untroubled bowling attack.

Grappers coasted to victory in only 10 overs with 14-year-olds Arthur Pennington and James Rooney ensuring a 10-wickets victory as they finished 34 and 19 not out respectively.

So another 25 points keeps Grappers second in the table with only six remaining.