WARRINGTON’S cricketing community came together on Saturday to remember an Appleton player who tragically passed away.

John Nesbitt, who was the club’s under 19 captain, died last week and all four of Appleton’s senior teams, plus representatives from the Grappenhall and Warrington clubs, gathered at Lyons Lane to remember the 18-year-old before Saturday’s play.

Nesbitt was due to play for Appleton’s second team and in an excellent gesture, opponents Barnton agreed to play with 10 players as a mark of respect.

When play did start, Mike Cumberland took four wickets and Dave Sujith added two as Barnton were dismissed for 170.

Dave Lomas then hit 77 not out as Appleton romped home by five wickets to provide the perfect tribute to their teammate.

Elsewhere, Appleton’s first team kept their hopes of promotion on track after a draw with rivals Langley.

Andy Thomas picked up 5-29 as Appleton dismissed their hosts for 183, but their reply saw them struggling on 21-4.

Skipper Alex Wright scored 30 to help the recovery, while Amir Aslam dug in for an unbeaten 16 from 78 balls as they closed on 101-8 to hang on for a draw.

Grappenhall kept their hopes of avoiding relegation alive despite defeat at Neston on Saturday.

Batting first, they posted a decent 224-8 from their 55 overs as Ben Bodha, Adam Roylance and Albert Pennington all passed 50.

Arran McCabe then took two early wickets to reduce the hosts to 26-2, but that was as good as it got despite Roylance taking a late wicket as Neston reached their target to win by seven wickets.