Marple 210 for 8 (50 overs) 25 points to beat Bollington 163 all out (46.2 overs) 5 points by 47 runs.
The second half of the 2016 season has finally seen Marple get a run of consecutive games under their belt. With a comprehensive victory over a stubborn Bollington side, Marple are edging toward the top half of the first division of the Cheshire County League.
A dry Saturday was by no means a certainty after wet weather once again during the week prior to the game, but groundsman Mike Hibbert had yet again
produced a good cricket wicket. Marple's batting has looked secure of late, and Paul Wood was probably not too displeased to be asked to bat first.
Although Mark Makin fell early after two previous scores in the seventies, Marple welcomed back Andrew Hall after three weeks away. He and Mark Bennett continued their fine form, and put together a solid second wicket stand, without quite getting away from the battling visiting attack. They added 72 good runs, but both were dismissed close together, Hall for 37 and Bennett for 46, to leave Marple vulnerable. Mr Reliable, captain Paul Wood, came to the rescue once more with his fourth half century in five innings. He batted through from 97 for two, remaining unbeaten on 71. He received good support from Dylan Heginbotham (22) who played some pleasing strokes once he settled in. From a Marple perspective it was also good to see Joe Cash return to first team action. He added some much needed solidity to the lower middle order. 210 for 8 was going to be a challenging target for the visitors.
Bollington skipper, Richard Hough is one of the best players in division one, and he always sells his wicket dearly. The two Dickinsons lent excellent support and an intriguing game seemed to be in prospect. Andy Wylie was wicketless for Marple, but was once more right on target, and was never collared by the Bollington batsmen.
Jack Grundy has settled well into first eleven cricket, and with Andy Greasley back in prime form, the pressure told. Once Bollington had slipped to 98 for 3, Hough out for 43, and behind the asking rate, Marple were favourites. Only Horsfield, with a valiant 48 was able to keep the home side at bay, and when the returning Joe Cash was introduced, the end came quickly. Cash picked up 3 for 7 in no time to help Marple to a comfortable 47 run win. In support, Greasley had 2 for 36 from 15 overs, Grundy 2 for 25, once more taking valuable top order wickets, and Menzies, a little expensive this week with 2 for 67.
Marple visit bottom club Tattenhall next Saturday with a 1.00pm start.
Marple seconds are playing some good cricket of late, but are just not able to get that all elusive win. Once more it was a narrow two wicket defeat, this time at Alderley Edge. Andy Wild carried his bat for 60 not out as Marple struggled to 146 all out. Adit Kulkarni gave the innings some much needed impetus with 30, and Andy Hayes helped Wild add 30 for the tenth wicket. Hayes, with three wickets, was the leading bowler as Alderley battled to 147 for 8. All the bowlers fought hard, and skipper Clark will feel that if this sort of performance continues for the rest of the season, then safety can be achieved.
Marple thirds topsy turvy season continued with a 51 run defeat at Grappenhall. Grappers totalled a formidable 221 for 7, with only Rick Major, 4 for 29 from eleven overs able to stem the tide. Marple's hero in a losing cause was Matt Leech with a stirring 82 out of a total of 170 all out.
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