THE battle for the two promotion places in the First Division of the Chapel Press Cheshire County League is becoming a three-way affair between Grappenhall, the current leaders and Macclesfield and Widnes, who are locked together in joint second place.

Grappenhall, the league’s last representatives in the National Club championship – they visit Bamford Fieldhouse in the group final on Sunday – batted superbly to win by six wickets chasing 233-5 at Poynton. Teenager Luke McCoy was their star turn with a brilliant century.

Macclesfield won by 33 runs at Middlewich and Widnes continued their good run, winning by nine wickets at Irby with evergreen Tony Hurdley unbeaten on 61.

The clash of Grappenhall and Widnes at Broad Lane on Saturday should help show the way forward.

In Division Two, Birkenhead Park have awoken to the fact that relegation to the Meller Braggins Cheshire League is staring them in the face.

They have acquired the services of outstanding Pakistani batsman Aneeq Hassan from Enfield in the Lancashire League and Hassan made a spectacular debut with a thrilling 97 off 88 deliveries against division leaders Marple as his side posted 188.

Unfortunately, Marple opener John Mason topped that with 99 not out to steer his side to a four wickets win and keep Park in penultimate place.

Performance of the day in the fourth round of the Cheshire Cup came from spinner Paul Stimson with a 5-7 return which helped Neston register an impressive victory at Sale.