GRAPPENHALL'S first XI face two games in three days against neighbours Warrington after they suffered their first loss of the season at the weekend.

They fell at home to Macclesfield, who won their first game of the season in Cheshire County Cricket League Division One and are now 10th. Grappenhall, meanwhile, are perched in fourth.

Grappers were put in to bat in wet conditions in a game reduced to 40 overs a side.

It was only Pete Barnes who got to grips with the conditions as he scored 25. The latter of the batsmen in Josh Hayes and Sam Guest enabled Grappers to finish on 89 all out from 36 overs.

Despite three early wickets in the second innings, Macclesfield cruised home with more than 10 overs to spare for just five wickets.

Grappers now welcome Warrington in the T20 Cup on Thursday, before visiting them in the league on Saturday.

The second XI’s trip to Timperley was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch.

And the rain was to blame for the third XI’s home game against Didsbury being curtailed half-way through.

Grappers batted first and posted 143-8 from 45 overs.

David Seed was the mainstay of the innings as he batted superbly for 69, supported by Alex Perry with 26.