GRAPPENHALL could end Saturday on top of Cheshire County Cricket League Division One.

It is mathematically possible as they go into battle at Broad Lane with leaders Didsbury, who lost for the second match in a row at the weekend.

Grappers, winners by five wickets in dramatic style at Sale on Saturday but defeated in the Cheshire Cup semi finals on Sunday, are 20 points adrift in second place.

Promotion rivals Sale were restricted to 115-9 off their reduced 40 overs.

Three wickets apiece came the way of Gaz Burns, Albert Pennington and Ryan Ninan in an excellent bowling performance.

In reply, Grappers struggled as they lost early wickets to be teetering on 27-4.

Jamie Bye helped to steady the ship, along with Ninan, and when he went Grappers needed another 28 to win at a rate of one run per ball.

Ninan, 49 not out, continued to bat superbly as he negotiated difficult conditions in a match-winning display.

Burns finished things off with a couple of boundaries as Grappers won with two balls to spare.

Grappenhall went out of the Cheshire Cup to Premier Division champions Hyde Hyde were restricted to 206-9 off their allotted overs but were all out for 150, despite Ninan’s best efforts, with five overs to spare.

Grappenhall’s seconds were one wicket short of a win at home to Sale as the overs ran out.

After posting 198 all out, with Iain Wright the pick of the batsmen with 52, Sale clung on with nine men down.

The thirds were convincingly beaten with a depleted side at Didsbury.

Grappers posted 97 all out against the champions elect.

Early wickets, leaving Didsbury at 40-3, gave Grappers faint hope.

A couple of decisions went against them and with that any hope of a win was lost.