Marple 154 for two (33.1 overs) 25 points, beat Toft 153 all
out (53.1 overs) by eight wickets
A superb exhibition of off spin bowling from Marple’s Andy
Greasley proved too much for Toft’s young guns at Booth’s Park Knutsford on
Saturday.
On a fine, clear early May afternoon, home skipper Toby
Drummond elected to bat first on winning the toss. The Toft wicket looked to be
a good one to bat on, with little grass on it, but the Marple opening attack of
Whittaker and Wood, proved difficult to get on top of. Keeper Makin was seen to
take the ball above waist height to Whittaker, and maybe a few doubts began to
form in the home batting line up. Wood bowled a useful spell in support of
Whittaker, and was unlucky to see a regulation slip catch spilled by Greasley.
However, for the visitors, this did not prove to be costly, as Greasley
replaced Wood after four overs from the tall seamer, and embarked on an
unbroken spell of high class.
Drummond J was bowled by a sharply spinning off
break, and England under 19 star Rob Jones was guilty of over confidence when
he chipped his fourth delivery straight to the safe hands of Mummery at mid off
for a duck. Although Hughes looked to be a player of skill coming in at four,
his partner the Victorian Jake Hancock, was also undone by Greasley’s spin and
bowled for 28. Whittaker had kept things tight, despite being wicketless, and
Toft were 46 for 3. Hughes and Stubbs played with maybe too much freedom, and
whilst both found the boundary, neither looked to have an air of permanence
about them. Like Hancock they both fell in the twenties, and the home side
found themselves in trouble at 99 for 5.
Jimmy Ormond replaced Whittaker, and whilst not as
threatening today as Greasley, could not be taken lightly. The runs began to
dry up for the home side as wickets continued to fall. At 118 for 8, skipper
Toby Drummond (31) was joined by Saleem, and they managed to give some
respectability to the score, adding 35 for the ninth wicket. A fighting total
of 153 all out was achieved after 53 overs. Greasley, superb throughout, had
figures of 7 for 34 from 22.1 overs. He was well supported by Ormond with 2 for
51 from 15, and Whittaker, 1 for 42 from 13. Despite a couple of sharp chances
going down, Marple, once again, put up a fine performance in the field. Fine
catches were taken by Eliot Young, Whittaker, and Greasley off his own bowling.
Toft 153 all out at tea.
One or two old sages thought that 153 may be a decent total
on what is traditionally a spinners’ wicket at Toft. However, Marple’s new and
vibrant opening pair of Jonny Marshall and Mark Makin soon laid any doubts to
rest. The duo continued in similar vein to last week against Bowdon. Marshall
despatched any wayward bowling from Drummond to the fence with ease, the ball
racing to the boundary as his timing was in full flow. Makin was not far
behind, and when the normally accurate left arm spinner Jimmy Lomas was
introduced, the Marple keeper’s eyes lit up! Lomas, with eleven wickets in his
first two games, was treated with disdain. Two magnificent sixes were hit by
Makin, and Lomas was withdrawn after only four overs that cost him 29 runs.
Leg spinner Rob Jones proved to be Toft’s best bowler on the
day, but the batsmen were not under any pressure. Third change bowler Talbot
bowled Marshall for 39, with score at 79, and Jones had Jim Morgan caught
behind at 99. Morgan had once again, looked the part at number three, but was
maybe guilty of over confidence against Jones. This was the last of any joy for
the home side. Paul Wood, at four this week, proved as solid as a rock in
support of the magnificent Makin. For the second week running, Makin made
batting look ridiculously easy, as all bowlers came alike to him. His timing
was superb, and Lomas was once again despatched for huge sixes when he
returned. Victory came with almost 22 overs remaining, Makin a glorious 77 not
out, and Wood 17 not out.
Another fabulous performance this from Marple, and next week
they entertain Alderley Edge, in what has always been an eagerly anticipated
fixture, 12.30pm start at Bowden Lane.
Toft’s second team had the edge in the game at Marple on
Saturday, being victors by 6 wickets with seven overs to spare. Marple’s total
of 159 was never enough on a good surface and a fast outfield, veteran Nigel
Muirhead 5 for 52. Gary Cash with 31, and skipper Andy Wild 39 were the leading
scorers for Marple, with Joe Cash reaching the twenties on his first appearance
of the season. Joe was Marple’s best bowler with 3 for 58 from 18 overs as Toft
were always in command of the reply after getting away to a flier, Chris
Drummond 49.
