THEY did all they could, but Grappenhall Cricket Club’s first team could not cap an incredible season with the league title.

With promotion already secured, they had to beat Congleton in their final game and hope league leaders Cheadle slipped up at Marple in order to pip them to top spot.

Grappers certainly did their part in a bizarre game – Arran McCabe took a hat-trick to help blow Congleton away for just 38 before the batters blitzed the run chase for the loss of two wickets inside five overs.

Unfortunately, Cheadle were victorious at Marple so Grappenhall had to settle for second place but will be playing Premier League cricket in 2023.

The seconds finished on the wrong end of a close game at Didsbury to wrap up their season – in reply to the hosts’ score of 208 all out, Grappers fell just short and were dismissed for 189 with a couple of overs to spare.

It meant they finished the season in fourth place, while the thirds finished their campaign in sixth spot.