Bramhall Spin Twins Too Hot To Handle!

Bramhall 154 all out (55 overs) 25 points beat Marple 92 all out (32.2 overs) 4 points by 62 runs.

Marple suffered a dispiriting collapse against Bramhall off spinners, Simon Wilkinson and Vishai Tripathi on Saturday. This, after they had put up a fine performance in the field to dismiss the home side for 154. 

A strong and cool breeze from the northwest greeted the players at Bramhall’s picturesque ground, and it felt as though autumn had come early. Nick Cantello won the toss and elected to bat first in testing conditions. Home groundsman, Richard Cragg had done well to prepare a good track after wet conditions earlier in the week and the outfield was also in top class condition. Although Matt Begbie took a couple of early boundaries from Andy Wylie, it was Marple’s excellent opening attack that soon got on top. Wylie is always at the stumps, and today the top three Bramhall batsmen were all palpably lbw to this excellent seam bowler. First it was star man Begbie (9), and then Tripathi (0) first ball. The battling Hughes (13) went at 45 for 3

When Jamieson (3) was yorked by Whittaker at 48 for 4, Marple scented blood. However, Lancashire Academy and county second eleven player Daniel Lamb was carefully playing himself in. First with skipper Cantello (15), he steadied the ship. Then he received useful support from lower order batsmen Kershaw, Reynolds and Wilkinson. Lamb is a talented player, and two shots in particular showed his pedigree. One was a superbly timed on drive from Barlow, and the other an effortless six, stroked over long on as he shimmied down the pitch to Greasley. He also played a couple of cheeky reverse sweeps, but trying a third off Jimmy Ormond, he was brilliantly stumped by keeper Makin. His fine innings of 62 was far and away the highest of the day. Bramhall were probably fairly happy with 154 at tea in demanding batting conditions. For Marple, Wylie had 3 for 36, Ormond 3 for 25, in a useful late spell, and Whittaker 2 for 31. Mark Makin also had three victims behind the stumps, his taking of the ball immaculate throughout. 

When Morgan and Makin despatched some wayward early bowling from West and Lamb, there was no hint of the calamity to come. Morgan drove gloriously through the covers, and both players pulled some short deliveries fiercely to the boundary. Forty runs came up in rapid time, and the home supporters began to wear some anxious looks. However, as soon as Wilkinson was introduced, the whole tone of the game changed. He dropped right onto a taxing length, never quite there for the batsmen to drive. Makin (19) was caught at slip and then similar to last week, his partner Morgan (21) fell soon afterwards, again caught at slip off Lamb. Marple were 46 for two, but with two in form men at the crease in Hall and Bennett. However, a third brilliant one handed slip catch by Cantello saw the back of the Marple skipper. Wood and Hall then looked secure as Tripathi replaced Lamb. Hall (15) seemed determined not to let the former Northants man settle. Unfortunately, he mistimed an extravagant drive, and was caught at extra cover by Jamieson at 71 for 4. The recalled James Crisall then ran himself out. He was keen to try and keep the score ticking, but he picked the wrong man to take on as Lamb picked up and then brilliantly hit the stumps at the bowler’s end with a direct hit. Ormond then became the second former county player to be dismissed first ball when he was lbw to Tripathi. Marple’s last hope, Wood (10) was then bowled by Tripathi at 78 for 7. A couple of lusty blows from Greasley and Wylie did not hold up Bramhall for long. All ten wickets had fallen for only 52, as a dismal collapse to only 92 all out was completed in the 33^rd over. Tripathi, putting his first ball dismissal behind him, had 5 for 24 from only 9 overs, and Wilkinson, hardly bowling a single loose delivery, 3 for 17 from 13.2. 

This was a depressing defeat for Marple at the hands of old rivals Bramhall.  They will hope to bounce back at home next week to Oxton, start 12.30pm. 

Marple seconds lost by 8 wickets at home to Didsbury to complete a miserable Saturday for the club. Only Andy Bell, with 40, was able to get going in a disappointing total of 122. The visitors cruised home for the loss of only two wickets. 

The third team’s game with Nantwich was called off without a ball being bowled on Sunday after heavy rain.

Fourth team game also called of due to the weather.