GRAPPENHALL visit basement side Warrington on Saturday hoping to improve in the bowling department.

Their bowling lacked sufficient discipline and penetration at the weekend, with the team consequently losing by two wickets against Cheadle Hulme in Cheshire County Cricket League Division One.

It is considered to be a key area to address, although some lapses in the field did not help Grappers as they defended 219 for four from their 50 overs.

Highlights of Grappers’ innings were an opening partnership of 138 between Richard Green, 93, and Ian Wright, 67, as well as a quickfire 38 not out from Cameron Park.

The total may have been greater had the innings ‘kicked on’ a bit quicker.

In reply, Cheadle were behind the clock until the 40th over - at which point, despite the loss of further wickets, they went for the win.

Injured skipper Ewan McCray controversially used a runner, smashing 34 not out, after both Durham, 66, and Forbes, 59, had batted well.

Grappenhall skipper Steve Titchard took three late wickets which almost swung the match back in their favour but Hulme got home in the last over with three balls remaining An eight-wicket defeat for Grappenhall’s depleted third string included a creditable peroformance from junior member Sam Coy.

Grappers, who had only nine players due to holidays and other commitments, were all out for 65.

Only P Tyerman, 19, and J Hulme, 23, managed to attack the bowling.

Poynton reached 43 before Tyerman took two quick wickets but it was in vain as Poynton soon finished the game with 66 for 2.

Grappenhall’s over 40s team drew with Mobberley.

Mobberely began well, taking 24 of the first four overs, but the introduction of Tetlow, who slowed down his pace to suit the wicket, meant they soon found runs hard to come by.

Nicholson took a spectacular one-handed full length catch before Mobberley finished on 95 for 7 from their 20 overs.

With the light fading, Grappenhall’s openers tried to get on with the chase but rain stopped play with Grappers on 35 for 0 from seven overs.