DESPITE losing at Alderley Edge on Saturday, Grappenhall managed to edge closer to escaping relegation from the Cheshire County League Premier Division.

Their score of 240 all out having been asked to bat first gained them enough batting points to close the gap on third-bottom Bramhall to nine points.

Skipper Adam Roylance opened the batting for Grappers and led the way with a knock of 59, while Ben Bodha also passed the half-century mark before falling for 57.

They made a good start with the ball too as Sam Guest picked up an early wicket, but Edge soon grabbed control of the game.

The home side eventually reached their target inside 35 overs to secure a six-wicket win.

Arran McCabe picked up two scalps for Grappers, with Rakshith Rao claiming one.

The story was remarkably similar for the seconds, who were beaten by their Alderley Edge counterparts despite posting a competitive total batting first.

Iain Wright blasted his way to 90 as Grappers reached 242-8 at Broad Lane, but the visitors cantered to their target for the loss of six wickets.

Ross Arrowsmith (2-50) was the pick of the home bowlers, with Matt Titchard, Ben Cagna, Mike Holden and Alex Perry all picking up a wicket each.

The thirds lost a close game at Nantwich having been bundled out for a below-par 152 when batting first, with Richard Wiles top-scoring with 65.

However, the bowlers stormed back and three wickets from new boy Mo Rizvi helped reduce the hosts to 86-8, but the Nantwich tail guided them to their target for no further loss.

APPLETON lost ground on their Cheshire Cricket League Division Three promotion rivals on Saturday.

They slumped to a 70-run defeat against league leaders Heaton Mersey in a rain-affected game at Lyons Lane.

Despite three wickets each for Andy Thomas and Amir Aslam, the visitors were able to post 217 before the heavens opened.

With just 41 overs to reach their target, Appleton slumped to 68-6 before Liam Mannion counter-attacked to gain them some precious batting points.

Mannion eventually fell for 76 and Appleton were bowled out for 147.

The seconds were beaten by neighbours Stretton after setting their hosts a victory target of 178, with Chris Morrison top-scoring with 47.

However, the bowlers could not keep Stretton in check and they romped to a seven-wicket win, with Prasant Nanda leading the way by hitting 58.

The thirds travelled to Trafford Metrovics with just 10 players and could only post 99 on a difficult pitch – a target the hosts reached for the loss of just two wickets.

The fourths saw their game against Bowdon Vale’s seconds abandoned due to the wet weather.

Appleton Tigers women's second team beat Lymm comfortably to retain top spot in Division 3 East in their first season. Appleton batted first and reached 124-0, with both Katie McLean and Amy Jones reaching the retirement score of 35 runs. Amy Jones (3 wickets) and Eloise Jackson (2 wickets) restricted Lymm to 63-7.

APPLETON Tigers’ seconds were comfortable victors over neighbours Lymm Oughtrington Park as they retained top spot in Division Three East of the Cheshire Women’s Cricket League.

Katie McLean and Amy Jones both reached the retirement score of 35 as Appleton dominated with the bat, closing their innings on 124-0.

Jones then picked up three wickets with the ball as Lymm were restricted to 63-7, with Eloise Jackson also claiming two scalps.