GRAPPENHALL showed superb fighting spirit to avoid defeat for the first time in 2018 on Saturday.

They hung on for a draw against 2016 champions Alderley Edge in a high-scoring game at Broad Lane.

The visitors had first use of an excellent wicket after being put into bat as they looked to take advantage of helpful batting conditions.

Gaz Burns impressed for Grappers, taking 3-58 in 17 overs, but Edge were still able to rack up a formidable 263-4.

Grappers made the worst possible start to their chase as Arthur Pennington, James McCoy and Pete Barnes all fell cheaply to leave them struggling at 31-3.

That brought skipper Adam Roylance and Ben Bodha together and their superb partnership of 141 gave the hosts an outside chance of victory.

Roylance eventually departed for 78 and Bodha made 64, with Burns and Jamie Bye looking to take up the mantle after them and keep the scoring rate high.

They too fell as Edge looked like resuming control, but ninth-wicket pair Sam Guest and Matt Titchard repelled them to ensure Grappers finished on 237-8.

The seconds lost for the first time this season as they slipped to a six-run defeat at Alderley Edge.

They had bowled superbly to dismiss the hosts for 157, with Ross Arrowsmith and Will Metcalfe taking three wickets each, and looked well-set to chase down their total at 129-5.

However, a combination of good bowling and poor shot selection saw them bowled out for 151.

The thirds secured a remarkable nine-wicket win over Marple at Broad Lane on Sunday, with David Seed, Richard Wiles, Akshat Pranesh and Neil Titchard all taking two wickets each to dismiss the visitors for 154.

In reply, openers Ben Bravington (54) and Francis Young (61 not out) both hit half-centuries to steer Grappers home.