APPLETON have achieved back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

This is the result of a well-paced run chase against Cheadle Hulme Ladybridge at Lyons Lane on Saturday.

The visitors must have thought that 190-4 would be a challenging target, with Simon Clarke hitting 80 and Matthew Bishop 62.

However the chase was better and the hosts reached their target in just 32 overs.

Ali Sharif was the top scorer with 43 from 37 balls.

The seconds had an away-day to forget as they slumped from 74-3 to 89 all out against The Groves first XI.

Despite two wickets apiece for James Darbyshire and Pete MacShane, The Groves reached their target with four wickets to spare.

Appleton’s thirds also had an afternoon to forget at home ground Grange Sports

League-leaders Cheadle Hulme plundered 285-9 from just 39 overs before declaring, with S Zafar hitting 62.

Set 286 in a notional 51 overs to win, Appleton were all out for just 81.

Appleton’s fourths had better fortune after drawing their derby with Glazebury’s seconds at Hurst Lane.

Ian Black’s 71 saw the home side post 195-8 from their 45 overs.

Stubborn resistance from Appleton’s batsmen meant that only seven wickets were down when stumps were drawn at the end of the game. Appleton finished on 103.

Appleton Tigers women’steam looked to be in a tricky situation at 52-5 after 13 overs, but 38 runs from the in-form Holly McCurrie and 30 from Sami Fowler helped them to post a target of 130 against Leigh.

Appleton’s bowling attack was ruthless, bowling their opponents out for 61 runs.

Fowler was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-7 in her five overs and both Nat Long and captain Jess Lewis took two wickets each.

Meanwhile, struggling Grappenhall’s hammering at ECB Premier League leaders Timperley leaves them rooted at the foot of the table.

Arran McCabe took 5-45, one of whom was century maker Brooke Guest, as the hosts achieved 232.

In response, Grappenhall were bowled out for just 77 runs with Jack Critchley, 15, the highest scorer and one of only three batsmen to reach double figures in the innings.

They host mid-table Chester Boughton Hall on Saturday looking for only their second win of the season so far.