Washout at Marple, but Seconds Triumph at Urmston!

After a period of weather that must go down as one of the coldest and wettest ever in the last week of April, George Clark's Marple second eleven produced a top quality all round performance to defeat Urmston last Saturday

The first eleven game with Oxton fell foul of the elements, with the Marple ground unfit for play after being battered by the nasty late sting of winter 2015/16. However, the local micro climate and efforts of the Urmston players and spectators allowed the second eleven game between the two clubs to go ahead.

In damp conditions, Marple were unsurprisingly inserted. Openers, Andy Wild and Tim Radford showed excellent application and raised the score to 39 before Radford (15)was the first to fall. Ryan Lindsay then joined Wild for the decisive stand of the game. A superb second wicket partnership of 160 put Marple in total control. Clark was eventually able to declare at 220 for 4 after 48 overs. Wild with 94, and Lindsay 88 fell agonisingly short of deserved centuries.

Urmston set about their target with a vengeance, playing bravely at the start of the reply. However, once Clark and Andy Massey began to bowl in tandem, wickets fell regularly. An excellent effort in the field from Marple saw them to a comfortable victory as Urmston collapsed to 161 in the 39th over. Clark and Massey finished with four wickets apiece. Mention should also be made of youngster Ed Saxelby, who once again relished appearing in senior cricket with a fine all round display. Keeper Wild also capped a first rate afternoon with a superb catch.