RELEGATION threatened Grappenhall grabbed a lifeline in an astonishing Murray Smith Cheshire County League Division One win at high flying Widnes.

The deserved victory means the Broad Lane club have everything to play for in the final five games of the campaign, starting at home against Congleton on Saturday.

Grappenhall's remarkable victory by one wicket came with one ball to spare after they were left needing six runs off the final five bowls. Andy Hards and Harry Worley saw them home safely.

But the headlines were made by Neil Titchard's superb spin bowling achievement.

Widnes were 90 runs for one wicket with 28 overs still at their disposal when Titchard entered the fray.

He created a piece of Grappenhall cricketing history by taking a divisional and personal best nine wickets for 56 runs in 21 overs. His first wicket had not come until his eighth over.

The remarkable achievement forced Widnes to bat their full allocation of 55 overs as they were all out for 185.

Grappenhall, left 45 overs to reach the target, made good inroads.

Some wonderful stroke play from ex-Lancashire star Richard Green, 47, in his first game since a back operation; Will Sharp, 35 and Ian Jackson, 46, pushed the away side forward until a flurry of lost wickets meant that there was to be the dramatic finale.

Grappenhall Seconds lost against Bramhall.

They were soon in trouble at 25 runs for three wickets but a face-saving partnership was put together as Dean Langhorne, 34 and Ian Barnes, 48, were able to steady the ship and move the score on to 99 before the next wicket fell. Only 40 more runs were added as they were all out for 139.

Bramhall inched their way towards the target before a purple patch for Grappenhall reduced them from 67-0 to 103-5. Bramhall dug in though and reached the target without the loss of any further wickets and eight overs to spare.

On Saturday Grappenhall will play away to Didsbury.

Grappenhall's third string had a convincing win at home against Bowdon, who found it difficult to score quickly and were eventually all out for 128. Danny Sisson, three wickets for 36 runs and Greg Ross, 3-19, did most of the damage.

Grappenhall passed the target in only 23 overs without losing a wicket. Ian Barnes and Allan Brady both recorded 64 not out.

Next up is a trip to Hyde on Saturday.