A SEVEN-wicket defeat at league leaders Hyde all but ensured Grappenhall will be playing Cheshire County Division One cricket next season.

They sit bottom of the Premier League with three games remaining.

Put in to bat, Grappenhall`s total of 164 all out in the 32nd over was never going to be anywhere near enough on Hyde`s small ground and with their powerful batting line up.

There were decent contributions from Jimmy McCoy, 27, Albert Pennington, 25, Adam Roylance, 24, and Warwick Abrahim, 22.

Grappers added late runs from Ian Hall and Gaz Burns with 17 and 18 respectively.

In reply, despite some interruptions due to rain, Hyde raced to their victory target and reached 166 for 3 in only the 25th over, a run rate of 6.8 runs per over.

Grappenhall`s only wicket takers were Sam Guest, with two, and Pennington.

The final three matches, which are all been played away due to ground work at Broad Lane, are against Nantwich, Neston and Chester.

The seconds travelled to relegation-threatened Middlewich and were cut short by the rain.

Off to a steady start for only 20 off the first 10 overs, the openers began to build an innings from there with 14-year-old Arthur Pennington and 16-year-old Arran McCabe.

When McCabe fell for 46, Pennington began to take things up another level as he showed real composure to score freely against some good bowling.

Ably supported by Ollie Turpin with a 50, the youngster racked up an impressive score, reaching his maiden ton for the club and finishing 127 not out at the end of 50 overs as Grappers posted 245 for 1.

Middlewich got close to chasing down the total before the rain.

They needed 69 to win from nine overs at only two wickets down.

The weather beat Grappenhall thirds on Sunday and consequently handed the league title to opposition Didsbury.