GRAPPENHALL retained their Premier Division status in the Cheshire County League in comfortable fashion at Timperley.

Batting first, Grappers knew a score of 190 would see them gain enough bonus points to secure their survival.

Despite losing early wickets, James McCoy steadied the ship and continued his superb recent form with a knock of 88.

The visitors suffered a late-innings wobble and ended up reaching the magic number with the last ball of the innings, finishing on 190-9.

Knowing the pressure was off, Grappers enjoyed their innings in the field and dismissed their visitors for 120 to secure a 70-run triumph.

Matt Titchard took 5-48, with Arran McCabe chipping in with three wickets.

The club’s promotion-winning seconds signed off in style as they dispatched relegated Stockport, who were bowled out for 135 in the first innings.

Grappers chased down the runs inside 35 overs but sadly missed out on the league title as leaders Oulton Park were victorious in their game.

Elsewhere, the under 18s came up just short in their T20 finals day at Chester on Sunday.

They made short work of Tattenhall in the semi finals, reaching their target of 87 in no time thanks to 50 from Arthur Pennington, to book a final date with Runcorn.

Grappers restricted their opposition to 126 from their 20 overs, with Pennington and Nathan Waite taking pace off the ball to good effect.

However, the reply got off to a terrible start as they lost their first four wickets for just 22 runs.

James Jenkinson and Arran McCabe built a partnership, with the former going on to reach the mandatory retirement mark of 50.

Jenkinson was allowed to return with the team nine wickets down and took the team close to victory, but they fell eight runs short.