GRAPPENHALL stormed back into the Vivio Cheshire County League ECB Premier Division title hunt with a three-wicket win at Marple on Saturday.

Gaz Burns, Albert Pennington, Luke Williams and Jack Critchley shared the wickets as Marple were held to 216-6, before James McCoy’s unbeaten 75 helped Grappers return to winning ways after they lost to Bowdon last week.

The hosts lost their first wicket with only five runs on the board, claimed by Williams who played his part in a run out with Marple on 56.

Critchley clean bowled Jonathan Marshall, and soon after ex-Cheshire captain Andy Hall was trapped LBW to become Pennington’s first Premier Division victim.

Skipper Richard Green juggled the bowling skilfully, Burns taking the fifth wicket at 166.

In reply Grappenhall slipped to 73-4 before McCoy played a model innings, capitalising on every opportunity to score. He shared in a stand with Burns, 22, and then Williams, 27, with whom he helped the visitors over the line in the 51st over.

They now entertain Toft, the team they replaced in the table’s third place, this Saturday.

Chester Boughton Hall have taken over top spot from Neston with five games to go. Grappenhall seconds closed the gap on table-toppers Neston after an eight-wicket win against Urmston at Broad Lane on Saturday.

Sam Guest, 6 for 55, and Neil Muttock, 3 for 52, skittled the visitors for 153 before Will Sharp posted an unbeaten half-century.

Guest made the early inroads, allowing slip Iain Wright to take a superb catch.

After tea, Sharp’s 59 and Wright’s 35 from 25 balls helped Grappers cruise home in 33 over.