GRAPPENHALL paid a fitting tribute to former chairman Harry Bramhall, who died last Wednesday, with a five-wicket win against Cheadle in the Cheshire County League Premier Division on Saturday.

Long-term Grappers supporter Bramhall acted as manager of the League representative XI for more than 10 years until 2011.

Following a two minutes' silence and some moving words from former club captain Nick Sharp, the hosts bowled Cheadle out for 173 in the 53rd over.

Saqib Mahmood took his first wicket for the club, while at the other end Gaz Burns bowled a lengthy spell of 14 overs and was rewarded with 2 for 36 before he was replaced by Sam Guest, 3 for 37.

Ian Barnes came in and took 1 for 36 off 11 overs, before the raw pace of Mahmood, 4 for 39, polished off the Cheadle tail.

Grappenhall lost their first wicket with the score on 17, when Adam Roylance played a loose shot.

Warwick Abrahim joined Jimmy McCoy, who had returned to his more familiar opening spot, and the two put a further 90 on before the latter was caught in the deep for a hard hit and positive 65.

This brought in Richard Green, who soon departed as did Barnes for just five apiece.

Will Sharp now joined Warwick and the pair put on 25 runs until Abrahim, having passed his half century, was eventually out for a well constructed and stylish 53.

Ian Wright , finishing with a six, and Sharp calmly knocked off the remaining few runs in the 36th over.

It was a much-needed win and 25 points for Grappenhall,, who visit Bramhall on Saturday.

Grappenhall seconds continued their unbeaten run at Upton with another draw, falling 30 runs short of the 201 target set by the hosts.

Matt Titchard was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 80 from a marathon 20 overs. In reply Grappers misjudged the run chase, having been 120 for 2, wickets fell regularly at the back end of the innings to leave them hanging on at 174 for 8.

The thirds picked up their first win of the season at home to newly-promoted Northwich.

Batting first, Grappers got off to an electric start with Matty Brown and Arran McCabe scoring freely and racing along to 50 in eight overs.

Both openers fell in quick succession with a strong platform in place. Paul Tyerman and Scott Woodland continued the momentum, scoring freely and picking off boundaries.

They took the score towards the 180 mark before Woodland fell for a powerful 40 and Tyerman for a well-worked 55 soon after.

The tail wagged as Grappers closed on 218 for 9.

Northwich struggled from the off losing wickets regularly.

Arthur Pennington was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with four wickets with his leg spin with brother Stanley picking up three.

The final wicket fell with 10 overs to spare with Northwich on 125.

The thirds travel to Hyde next.