GAZ Burns’ brilliant bowling at the death allowed Grappenhall to rescue a draw against Neston on Saturday.

Having lost the toss at Broad Lane, Grappers were asked to bat first and set about compiling a solid score.

Skipper Adam Roylance led from the front, opening the batting and top-scoring with 55 with plenty of help from the middle order.

Pete Barnes, 36, and Adam Green, made solid contributions, while Burns weighed in with a quickfire 29 as Grappers were eventually dismissed for 224.

With a reasonable score to defend, Burns dismissed Neston skipper Simon Stokes with the second ball of the innings to get Grappers off to the perfect start.

However, the visitors were able to put together several partnerships and looked favourites to win, needing just 11 runs for victory in three overs with four wickets in hand.

Burns, who took 4-43, had other ideas and his bowling meant Neston finished on 224-8, ensuring a share of the spoils.

The seconds were well beaten at Oulton Park despite winning the toss and putting their opponents into bat.

Jamie Bye took four wickets for Grappers, with Arthur Pennington and Josh Hayes weighing in with two each, but the hosts reached 254 from their 50 overs.

In response, the visitors never got going and they were dismissed for 143 despite 63 from Iain Wright, sealing a 111-run defeat.

The thirds had better luck as they enjoyed a comfortable seven-wicket victory at Hyde.

Pennington’s spin bowling earned him six wickets to help bowl Hyde out for just 85.

In reply, Grappers were wobbling on 28-3, but Pennington came to the rescue as he saw them home with an unbeaten 44.

The firsts host Bowdon on Saturday at the same time as their seconds face counterparts from the same club. The thirds welcome Cheadle to Broad Lane on Sunday.