MIDDLEWICH CC 1sts racked up their fifth away win of the season at Grappenhall.

They now lie third in the CD Bramall Cheshire County Cricket League Division Two as the season reaches the halfway point.

Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, Middlewich found runs hard to come by largely thanks to economical bowling and alert fielding by their hosts.

Debutant Jamie Williams (34) and Phil Parry (33) accelerated the scoring slightly, but the loss of three wickets in three balls put the visitors firmly on the back foot at 120-6 after 37 overs.

But a 76-run stand between Chris Broomfield (27) and Stuart Price (56) helped wrestle the initiative back in their side's favour as they guided Middlewich to 206 all out in their allotted overs.

In reply, Keith Hallam made a breakthrough in the first over.

Middlewich kept up the pressure and were able to take wickets at regular intervals thanks to some sharp catching and clever fielding changes.

Hallam (4-52), Phil Davies (3-51) and John Shephard (3-31) did the damage as Grappenhall stumbled to 156 all out, sealing a comfortable 50-run win for their guests.

Middlewich took 24 points, Grappenhall eight, to take their season tally to 165.

They head to struggling Burnage on Saturday, who are hovering precariously over the bottom three positions.

l MEANWHILE the 1sts can put the disappointment of their Cheshire Cup exit behind them when they visit Mobberley in the Fred Graham Trophy second round next week.

Middlewich take on the Knutsford side on Friday, July 14, with the winner in line for a quarter-final trip to either Alsager or Nantwich.