GRAPPENHALL’S fight to avoid relegation from the Cheshire County Cricket League’s top flight suffered another blow on Saturday.

They folded to just 58 all out against league leaders Nantwich to seal a 189-run defeat, with only two batsmen reaching double figures.

Earlier, Josh Hayes delivered an encouraging display with the ball as he picked up 4-20, but Nantwich were able to rack up an imposing 247-5 before their bowling unit dismantled the visitors.

Grappers have just five games remaining, starting with a home match against second-placed Timperley on Saturday.

By contrast, the seconds left their Nantwich counterparts – who also top their division – clinging on for a draw.

Iain Wright top-scored with 57 as Grappers posted a decent total of 196-6, with Steve Dickson, Matt Titchard and Mike Holden also making valuable contributions.

Spinner Titchard then led the home bowling attack with four wickets, but Nantwich closed 40 runs short of their target and eight wickets down.

Meanwhile, Appleton picked up a 58-run win over Wilmslow Wayfarers at Lyons Lane to keep their slim hopes of promotion from Cheshire Cricket League Division Three alive.

There were contributions right down the order as Appleton posted 228-5 batting first, with Ali Sharif top-scoring with 46.

Four wickets for Joe Cooper and three for Amir Aslam then helped skittle the visitors for 170 in reply.

The seconds were well beaten at Upton despite Mike Arnold’s knock of 64 helping them to 169-8 from their 45 overs, with the hosts reaching their target for the loss of just one wicket.

The thirds recovered from 75-8 to post 143-9 against Heaton Mersey Village’s firsts, who reached their target easily to record an eight-wicket victory.

Fifties from Toby White and Kevan Lomas helped the fourths declare on a season’s best score of 229-8, but opponents Ashley Academy chased down the total with four runs to spare.