Toft Undone By Greasley Masterclass!

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.