GRAPPENHALL reached their first Cheshire Cup semi-final in 15 years on Sunday with a resounding 79-run victory over Toft at Broad Lane.

After losing the toss and being put into bat by their visitors, Grappenhall made a fast start with opener James McCoy scoring a blistering 41 before he was run out.

However, it was fellow opener and captain Adam Roylance that stole the show for Grappers as he anchored the innings with a superb unbeaten century.

He finished on 117, while Albert Pennington continued his excellent form by adding 66 as the hosts closed on an impressive 288-6 from 45 overs.

The visitors made a good fist of their reply, but they struggled to keep up with the run rate as the Grappers bowlers took control, despite a dogged 61 from opener Morgan Clark.

Henry Hughes also aided the Toft cause with 59, but Grappers overseas player Ryan Ninan spun his way to 4-43 to help dismiss the visitors for 209, with Arran McCabe chipping in with 3-37.

The win secures them a semi-final tie against either Sale or Hyde to be played on Sunday, August 21.

The previous day, they had completed a thrilling two-wicket victory at Marple to ensure they remained second in the Cheshire County League Division One table.

Bowling first, Grappers made the perfect start and reduced their hosts to 43-3, but 68 from captain Paul Wood and 76 from James Morgan helped them finish on 194-5 from their 50 overs.

The visitors’ reply started terribly as their top order collapsed to leave them perched perilously on 54-5.

Albert Pennington steadied the ship with a knock of 57, supported by a swift 55 from Gaz Burns but both fell late on to leave the game in the balance.

However, Alex Matthews and Dan Osborne saw the visitors home to secure another crucial win ahead of their league game with Bollington on Saturday.