CRICKET clubs are hoping for better weather this weekend after suffering bank holiday disruption.

Grappenhall, who host Toft on Saturday, reached 45 for 3 at Alderley Edge before rain put paid to play, the sides having to settle for seven points each in the Cheshire County Cricket League top flight Their seconds had better fortune in falling rain with a ball like a bar of soap.

Grappers were on the verge of a first loss this season when veteran recruit Ben Cagna stepped in with 39 not out to help skipper Matt Titchard, 84 not out, to steer past Brooklands' 254 for 7 with eight men down and 12 balls remaining.

Arran McCabe and the Pennington brothers Stan and Arthur were the pick of the home side's bowlers.

Captain Chris Reilly cleared water from the outfield to enable Grappenhall third string's game to go ahead against Bramhall on Sunday.

Those efforts were not rewarded with a win, his side falling seven runs short when dismissed for 177 with four balls to spare.

Fourteen-year-old Arthur Pennington's maiden half century inside 15 overs was the highlight.

Three of Warrington Cricket Club's matches were abandoned, the first team's after seven overs while on 12 for 1 at home to Alvanley.

The fourths managed to play and 13-year-old Aaron Soni, 64, shone on the wet wicket in Warrington's 190 for 7.

Nathan Jeffery, 4 for 30, was the pick of the attack in response but careful Ashley held out at 133 for 8.

In Cheshire Cricket Alliance Division Three, Appleton chased down Stalybridge's 84 for the loss of five wickets.

Best performers were Tom Lomas, four wickets, Sachin Gav and Alex Wright, three wickets each, Phil Pugh, 28 runs.

Appleton's seconds snatched a 25-point victory against Knutsford thanks to skipper Edward Pugh's fourth ball of the final over taking an outside edge straight into Dave Lomas' gloves.

Dave Lomas, 87, guided Appleton to 212 earlier and then eight quick Knutsford wickets were taken before bottom-order resilience threatened to stifle the home side's hopes until the late heroics.

Kevin Lomas hit 96 not out in Appleton fourth team's draw with Port Sunlight.

Rylands' Division Two game away at Styal was abandoned with Rylands on 41 for 1.

Their seconds suffered a heavy defeat at home to Old Parkonians after being skittled for 49. Old Parkonians reached the victory target without loss.