A SUPERB run chase allowed Grappenhall to boost their chances of avoiding relegation from the Cheshire County League Premier Division.

They beat Cheadle by two wickets in a remarkable game at Broad Lane on Saturday and are now just one point adrift of safety.

Grappers skipper Adam Roylance invited Cheadle to bat first having won the toss and opening bowlers Gaz Burns and Sam Guest kept things tight, taking a wicket each before the latter went off injured.

That put extra pressure on the hosts' attack and, although wickets fell regularly, Cheadle were still able to post a formidable total.

Youngster Josh Hayes took two wickets, as did spinners Roylance and Owen Lynch, but the visitors closed on 296-8.

Facing the prospect of a mammoth run chase, Roylance and Arthur Pennington put on a solid opening partnership before falling for 28 and 32 respectively.

Pete Barnes scored a patient 34, but Luke McCoy's excellent 65 pushed Grappers on to give them a chance of victory.

With his family over to watch him, Australian Lynch grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck with a stunning unbeaten 72 off just 45 balls.

Burns hit a quickfire 34 in support, but it was Lynch who hit the winning runs with five balls to spare to give Grappers a stunning win.

The seconds' victory over their Cheadle counterparts was much more straightforward after Matt Titchard's superb bowling inspired an 80-run victory.

After Grappers posted a solid 179, Cheadle were looking good in reply at 80-1 before Titchard took six wickets to ensure they were bowled out for just 99.

The thirds capped off a memorable weekend for the club with a low-scoring victory over Marple, who were bowled out for just 139.

Spinners Ben Bravington and Neil Titchard did most of the damage for Grappers, taking four and three wickets respectively.

In reply, Grappenhall were reduced to 44-5 but David Seed hit his second half-century in as many weeks to see them home with four overs to spare.

The firsts face a tough game at title-chasing Toft on Saturday, with the seconds hosting Oxton at the same time and the thirds welcoming Alderley Edge on Sunday.