IT was a good weekend for Grappenhall, who boosted their hopes of surviving relegation on Saturday before making cup progress the following day.

Their 48-run Cheshire County League Premier Division victory over Neston was much-needed and it proved to be a big boost in confidence.

They followed it up with a superb seven-wicket victory at Wallasey in the Cheshire Cup on Sunday.

In their league match at Broad Lane, Grappers made a mockery of Neston’s decision to put them into bat as they put together an impressive total.

Arthur Pennington top-scored with a quickfire 65 from just 59 balls, while Pete Barnes also passed the half-century mark before eventually falling for 52.

Albert Pennington, 43, and Ben Bodha, 41, also contributed as Grappers posted 232-3.

Their bowlers made it a superb all-round performance by dismissing Neston for 184 with more than 10 overs to spare.

Raki Rao was the stand-out bowler with figures of 4-33, while skipper Adam Roylance and Arran McCabe both picked up three scalps each.

In their cup clash, Grappers chased down a big score on the road after hosts Wallasey made hay while batting first.

Rao was in the wickets again as he took 3-42, but the hosts were still able to post 299-8 from their 45 overs.

What followed, however, was a superb Grappers run chase lead by a stunning century from Roylance, who eventually fell for 102.

He put on a mammoth 225 for the opening wicket with Barnes, who suffered the grave misfortune of being dismissed for 99, and that proved the difference as the visitors picked up a seven-wicket win.

The thirds also won in the Cheshire Cup on Sunday in a low-scoring affair at Cheadle.

Grappers were dismissed for a below-par 138, but six wickets from David Seed proved decisive in skittling the hosts for 121 in reply.

Sadly, the seconds were beaten at Neston on Saturday after posting a modest 160-9 from their 50 overs.

Three wickets for Matt Titchard and two for Iain Wright gave them hope of an unlikely win, but the hosts edged home by three wickets.

Meanwhile, a stunning knock from Appleton’s Martin Cooper allowed him to star in a nail-biting draw with Cheshire League Division Three leaders Langley.

Opener Cooper carried his bat having scored 123 from 133 balls at Lyons Lane as the hosts fell just eight runs short of their target as they ran out of overs.

They finished on 246-6 after Langley had earlier declared on 253-6, with captain Pat Horgan smashing 103 from just 65 deliveries.

Appleton’s seconds thrashed their Barnton counterparts by 133 runs as Pete MacShane claimed five wickets and Dave Sujith four as they bundled their hosts out for just 82.

Josh Coghlan had earlier top-scored with an unbeaten 70 as Appleton posted 215-4 from their overs.

Despite scoring their highest total of the season, Appleton’s thirds could not secure victory against Prestbury’s seconds.

Mike Arnold scored 90 and Paul White finished on 70 not out as Appleton declared on 244-2, but a torrential downpour saw the game delayed before the visitors clung on to close on 189-7.

The fourths beat neighbours Warrington by seven wickets after a five-wicket haul from Alex Warham helped bowl their hosts out for just 91.

Appleton then cruised to their target in 30 overs.