Titchard shows the way for Grappers (From Warrington Guardian)

Titchard shows the way for Grappers

4:11pm Thursday 14th June 2012 in Cricket

LIKE many other cricket teams in the region, Grappenhall’s first and second teams were unable to continue their Chapel Press Cheshire County League campaigns at the weekend due to heavy rainfall.

But the wet weather did not stop Grappers’ third team taking the spoils against fellow promotion hopefuls Hyde.

They climbed to the top of the Sunday Division One table for the first time in a decade after extending their unbeaten run.

Hyde were asked to bat first after losing the toss and Grappenhall’s opening bowlers started well, Ian Hall picking up two wickets while keeping runs to a premium.

The spin of Albert Pennington and Matt Titchard kept the batsmen at bay, with the wickets shared among all the bowlers as they restricted Hyde to a modest 149 for 8 from their 45 overs.

Grappers lost the early wickets of Mark Tyerman and Tom Hulme but were saved by the steadying influence of Neil Muttock and Hall, who took the score past 70 before both fell in quick succession.

Further wickets meant the visitors sensed an unlikely victory until an aggressive match-winning innings from Matt Titchard, 41 not out, swung the contest back in Grappers’ favour and handed the hosts a maximum points win.