PETE Barnes and Sam Guest delivered top-notch displays as Grappenhall secured their place in the Cheshire County Cricket League top flight for next season.

They needed to better Bramhall's result and overhaul a 13-point deficit in order to stay up and they did so in emphatic fashion against Marple on Saturday.

Grappers posted 260-2 declared off 49 overs, largely thanks to Barnes' second century of the season, 110 not out. Partnerships were established with Albert Pennington, 71, and Ben Bodha, 50.

The second half turned into a procession as Guest bowled the spell of his life.

After picking up two wickets in the first over, Guest went on to decimate the Marple line up as he took the first eight wickets to fall, finishing with remarkable figures of 8-50 off 17 overs as Marple were rolled for only 122.

By this point Grappers knew their fate now lay in their own hands as Bramhall had suffered a heavy defeat at Chester.

The seconds suffered a heavy defeat at home to Marple with Grappers old boy James Crissall doing the damage with a ton.

Despite last week’s defeat in the under 18’s cup final, Grappers have now been awarded the trophy as it turns out Northop Hall have fielded an ineligible player throughout the competition.

n APPLETON missed out on promotion by a single point despite finishing their Cheshire League season with a win at Cholmondley.

Starting the game six points behind second place, Appleton needed Langley to slip up at home if they were to go up but Langley had bowled out their opponents for just 41 – rendering Appleton’s result immaterial.

Lee Stoll hit 68 as Appleton posted 168 at Cholmondley. Three wickets from Andy Thomas and braces of wickets from Pete MacShane and Ian MacAuley saw the home side bundled out for 99 with four overs to spare to seal a 69 run victory.

Mike Cumberland took six wickets as Cholmondley's seconds were bowled out for 108. Skipper Dave Lomas hit an unbeaten 60 as Appleton's seconds sailed past their target without losing a wicket.

Appleton’s thirds finished their season with a nailbiting two-wicket win at Lindow.

Fourteen-year-old Georgia Heath claimed four wickets and a run-out as Lindow were bowled out for 121 on a damp pitch.

Set 122 to win in 51 overs, Appleton’s chase faltered at times but a fine 53 from Si Tomlinson saw the visitors home with 11 overs to spare.

A fine all-round game from Alex Warham saw Appleton's fourths complete a fourth win from four for the club.

Warham thumped his first league half-century from just 24 deliveries to help Appleton finish their overs on 186-6, then took four wickets as Rostherne were bowled out for 176.