GRAPPENHALL face a fight to save their Cheshire County Premier League status after a five-wicket loss at Hyde on Saturday kept them in bottom two.

Winning the toss Grappenhall chose to bat first on what proved to be a two-paced track, and were soon in trouble at 45 for 3.

There were useful contributions from Richard Green, run out for 26, and Will Sharp, 28. Most of the middle to late order got a start but no one except Alex Mathews with 32 late in the innings went on to post a significant score.

The final total of 172 for 8 never looked as though it would be enough on the small Hyde ground.

In reply, the hosts got off to a sticky start finding themselves three down with just 38 on the board, with Mathews eventually going on to take 2 for 31 and Sam Guest 1 for 39 in a lengthy spell.

The other wicket taker was Adam Roylance, 2 for 29, while Mathews capped a fine all-round match with a stunning catch.

However the home team ,after their early wobbles, eventually ran out comfortable winners reaching 173 for 5 in the 34th over.

Despite this loss, Grappenhall saw signs of encouragement in the team's performance, though they will have to be at their best when they play Nantwich at home next week, with Lancashire`s prolific Liam Livingstone in their ranks.

Grappers seconds beat Middlewich at home by four wickets.

The visitors posted 181 for 7 in their 50 overs with Arthur Pennington and Ben Cagna picking up three wickets each from marathon spells.

Grappenhall chased down the total six wickets down with 12 overs to spare thanks to contributions throughout the order and Matty Brown top scoring with 50, as well as some big hitting at the end by Scott Woodland.

The thirds held Stockport to 228 for 7 with David Seed taking three wickets.

But Iain Wright smashed 163 to leave Grappers only one run to win, which they duly made for 25 points.

A truly match-winning knock.

Warrington Guardian:

Iain Wright celebrates his match-winning knock of 163