Sublime Sehmi sinks Marple!

Toft 229 for 3 (44.1 overs)25 points beat Marple 225 all out (52.5 overs) 9 points by seven wickets

A superb 101 not out by Toft’s multi talented wicket keeper batsman Robert Sehmi took Toft to what was ultimately a comfortable victory. This was a game which featured some high quality cricket from both teams at Toft’s scenic venue.

Marple skipper Jim Morgan was probably not too displeased to be asked to bat first on a fine but cloudy afternoon. The light was good and the wicket, whilst having a greenish tinge to it, had good carry and came onto the bat nicely. Toft’s opening attack of Jackson and Forster both bowled with good pace, with the former, in particular, achieving a good carry through to keeper Sehmi who was stood a good way back. Morgan and his partner Andrew Hall often thrive in these conditions though, and once more they gave Marple a good start, posting a second successive half century stand. There was little margin for error for the bowlers, as Hall, especially, pounced on anything slightly off line or length. It was first change Scott who claimed the initial wicket when Morgan (28) mistimed a pull stroke and was safely caught at mid on by Cornes. This was another innings full of promise cut off after the new ball had been seen off. However, 59 runs scored at a good pace were on the board. This brought in Danny Lamb at number three making his Marple debut. Lamb, a member of the current Lancashire squad, has suffered from injury, but here he showed what a talented batsman he is. He was watchful in defence, but unleashed a couple of brutal pull shots when the bowlers erred. He was content to rotate the strike with Hall, and the scoring rate was kept at a good level.

Hall passed a fluent half century, but was then out lbw on the sweep to the left arm spin of Toft skipper Jimmy Lomas. This was an uncharacteristic dismissal for Hall (51), as he does not usually use this particular stroke. Marple were still in good shape though at 104 for 2 with Lamb now set and Wood looking secure. At this stage of the innings, the Toft bowling was tight, with Lomas always accurate, and Cornes, the fourth seamer to be used, hitting an awkward length. It was the tall and powerfully built  Cornes who tilted things his side’s way when he managed to get Lamb (32) to chop a ball onto his stumps, and then find the edge of Wood’s bat to leave Marple wobbling on 121 for 4.

Their now followed a heartening stand of 56, scored at an excellent tempo, between Mark Makin and Mike Schofield who were starting on nought together. This was good cricket, and both batsmen showed fine character and skill. It was Schofield who frustrated Lomas, getting him away to the leg side boundary on several occasions, and also not allowing Rob Jones to settle with his leg spin. He seemed to have the measure of the Lancashire star, but maybe got a bit too ambitious and hit a return catch to the bowler at 177 for 5. He hit six fours in a breezy 36. At number seven Andrew Paulett initially supported Makin well, who now came into his own, being harsh on the returning Jackson and taking Marple beyond 200. Paulett fretted though in his anxiety to keep things moving, despite the fact there were still a good few overs remaining. He overreached against Jones and was stumped for just 5 at 203 for 6. Makin, after reaching an entertaining 45, mistimed Jackson to mid off to give the bowler a semblance of revenge at 211 for 7. Joe Cash then smote a couple of late boundaries off Jones to take Marple to 225 all out and maximum batting points. This was a competitive total, but two overs were unused, and Makin was not supported intelligently by the lower order. Jones had four late wickets for 37.

When Toft began their reply, Marple’s opening attack in this game of Liam Brown and Ryan Stringer both bowled well, enjoying good carry through to keeper Morgan. The Aussie Brown, in particular, was a real handful for Forster and Lomas, and it was an unlucky bowler when Morgan put down a sharp chance from Lomas. The Toft skipper then got both bowlers away to the fence with some hard hit drives. It was Stringer who picked up the first wicket at 41 when Lomas (24) edged once more to Morgan.  This brought in Rob Sehmi, and the former Loughborough and Kent second eleven man looked in complete control at once. He is a stylish, classical player with superb footwork, exquisite timing and he rarely lofts the ball, often finding the gaps in the field with his placement. Joe Cash dragged down a couple of short deliveries in his opening over, but no fieldsman moved as the ball was clinically despatched to the boundary. Cash settled after this wayward beginning, and Forster chipped him to Wood at mid off for 31 and the total 107 for 2.

With Sehmi well set this brought in Toft number four Rob Jones. Jones is also currently Lancashire’s number four, and is enjoying a fine season in first class cricket. Here, he respected the bowling, and rotated the strike with Sehmi. Marple toiled in vain, as two high class players took complete control. There was nothing ugly in a superb stand of 116 runs in just over an hour. Marple’s bowlers ran in with determination, but timing and placement from both players found the boundary with regularity. From the spectators view point it was royal entertainment. Brown, short of good fortune on this day, did have Jones well caught by George Clarke at fine leg from a top edged hook for a cultured 57, but the game was up. Sehmi, with 18 stroked boundaries remained 101 not out, and a sizeable crowd cheered his brilliant knock.

Although defeated, Marple played much good cricket in this game, and should not be too down on themselves. There is a home game with Cheadle at Bowden Lane next Saturday, 12.30pm start, and also a deciding T20 game against Hyde on Thursday at 6.00pm also at Bowden Lane.

Hostile Grundy Downs Toft Seconds!

A very welcome return of 5 for 32 from Marple’s talented young seam bowler Jack Grundy accounted for Toft in the second eleven encounter between the two clubs at Bowden Lane on Saturday. In Marple’s hard earned 154 all out, James Crisall made 26, Max Fitgerald another good 32, Stewart Bass 38 and Andy Massey 24.

Grundy bowled 15 overs in one spell as Toft had no answer to his movement and lift. He was particularly well supported by Andy Massey with 3 for 16. Joe Stanley with 33 top scored for Toft, but a last wicket stand of 49 between James Hodgson, 25,  and Gohar Rashid 19 not out, caused a few nerves before Connor Ramsay turned bowler to finish things off by castling Hodgson. Toft ended 134 all out, and a Marple win by 20 runs.

Darby and Grundy (Again!) Star in Thirds Demolition!

A superb 106 from Will Darby took Marple thirds to an out of sight 226 for 5 declared in the third eleven game between Toft and Marple on Sunday. The hard hitting and emerging Lewis Braddock with 44 gave terrific support in a century plus stand with Darby. Andy Gichero then whacked a rapid 43 as the home bowlers wilted.

Grundy, determined to get some welcome overs under his belt, added to his Saturday haul, this time with 5 for 23 as Toft were routed for just 75. Paul Roberts mopped up the tail with his leg spin taking 3 for 13.