A MONSTROUS first-innings total by fellow strugglers Bramhall proved too much for Grappenhall to chase on Saturday.

Grappers’ 125-run hammering keeps them in danger of relegation from the Cheshire County League Premier Division as they are 19 points clear of the drop zone with two games remaining.

The visitors actually won the toss and elected to field, but some huge hitting from Iftikhar Naseer led to him scoring 118 from just 56 balls, including 13 maximums.

Sam Guest’s figures of 2-44 seem remarkable when put into context as Bramhall declared on a massive 321-3 having plundered 120 runs from the last nine overs of their innings.

Openers Jamie Bye and James McCoy put on 84 for the first wicket, with the latter eventually falling for 58, his third consecutive half-century.

Pete Barnes contributed 32, but there was little of note from anyone else in the Grappers line-up as they were dismissed for 196.

The seconds had a much better time of things against their Bramhall counterparts, winning by seven wickets at Broad Lane.

Steve Rooney picked up three wickets for the hosts, with Ross Arrowsmith and Scott Woodland taking one each, but the visitors racked up a solid 188-5 from their 50 overs.

However, Grappers never looked in too much trouble in reply as Will Sharp (77) and Iain Wright (67) led them to a comfortable victory.

Elsewhere, former England batsman Neil Fairbrother helped Grappers’ over 40s team to victory in their T20 semi final against Urmston.

After their opponents racked up a massive 174, Fairbrother retired on 30 alongside Iain Wright, Will Sharp and Kerry Anderson to ensure Grappers chased the total down.

They will now contest the final against Toft at Chester on Sunday.

The club’s under 18s were also due to feature in their own T20 Finals Day on Sunday at Warrington, but a soggy outfield at Walton Lea meant play was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

On Saturday, the firsts welcome title-chasing Nantwich to Broad Lane while the seconds travel to neighbours Warrington.