GRAPPENHALL could not halt Chester Boughton Hall’s assault on the Cheshire County Cricket Premier League title as they lost by seven wickets on the penultimate Saturday of term.

Put into bat, Liam Parkinson, 42, returned to open with Adam Roylance, 77, in a partnership of 57.

Roylance was eventually joined by Jimmy McCoy, 46, for the biggest partnership of the innings, 99, until the latter fell at 191 for 5.

Richard Green was unbeaten on 33 but failed to find support from the tail as Grappenhall closed on 242 for 8.

Chester reached 134 before Jack Critchley struck for the third and final wicket.

This signalled the introduction of Lancashire-contracted player Jordan Clark, who smashed his way to 106 not out off 75 balls.

The win saw Chester leap into pole position in the top-flight, but Grappenhall travel to second-placed Neston on Saturday to play their part in what could prove a championship decider.

A dramatic last-ball defeat against Chester Boughton Hall on Saturday leaves Grappenhall’s seconds facing a title-decider with table-topping Neston at Broad Lane.

Level on points with Neston prior to the fixture, Grappers declared on a commanding 260 for 6 in 47 overs following an excellent 125 from Will Sharp.

Matt Titchard took 3 for 88 and Neil Muttock 2 for 83 but Chester were left needing six runs off the final delivery for victory.

The ball was despatched high into the sightscreen, leaving Grappenhall with 10 points and, following Neston’s victory, trailing the leaders by 15 points ahead of Saturday’s clash.

Grappenhall’s thirds clinched second spot against Didsbury despite having to raid the junior and over 40 sides to field a team.

Richard Wiles took the first four wickets for 32, before over 40s player John Hayes struck three times in quick succesion.

Stand-in skipper Paul Tyerman wiped out the remainder of the Didsbury innings with 3 for 3 as the hosts finished on 85.

Steve Newell hit a 37 not out as Grappenhall won by four wickets.