Toft 96 for 4 (21.1 0vers) 25 points beat Marple 93 all out (32.5 overs) 7 points by six wickets
Marple’s talented young allrounder Sam Stretton cheered the club on Sunday, as his terrific matchwinning performance of 83 runs and then a spell of 4 for 17 with the ball, took the third eleven to a fine 35 run win over second placed Stockport Georgians last Sunday at Bowden Lane.
Torrential rain all day Friday, and then a prolonged heavy shower on the morning of the match meant that Marple’s crucial league encounter with Toft was reduced to one of 35 overs per side starting at 3.15pm. In years past, this amount of rain would almost certainly have meant no cricket, but the drainage system in place now, meant a reasonable game could ensue. It was hard to know whether Jim Morgan was happy or not to be inserted after losing the toss. He dropped himself down to number three, and asked Andrew Hall to open up with Paul Wood.
The pitch was two paced and had some uneven bounce due to the rain, but it actually played reasonably well. After a steady start, Marple reaching 44 for 1 in the twelfth over, the introduction of third seamer Will Dunkerley completely undid Marple. Jackson and Forster are an opening attack well known to Marple, but first change Dunkerley not familiar to the side. He bowls at a good medium pace, and has a strong economical action. He consistently hit a length around off stump, and nipped the ball back in to the batsmen. On this day, it was far too good. Maybe the shortened game meant that Marple did not manage formulate a plan against him, but he hit the stumps four times in a remarkable spell of 6 for 10 in just nine overs. It was quite a surprise when Lomas took him off, as he had the rare opportunity of taking 9 wickets in an innings. There was not much to cheer in the Marple innings, although Morgan found the boundary four times in his 18 and Mike Schofield once more showed his improvement with a solid 22. Although batting conditions were never easy, 93 all out was probably 30 to 40 or short of a competitive score.
When Toft replied, the attack of Brown and Wylie was steady, but did not find the movement achieved by Dunkerley. Veteran off spinner Greasley was introduced after just six overs as Marple had to take wickets. He gave the home side a brief glimmer of hope, trapping Drummond, Forster and Craig all lbw. At 39 for 3 Toft had their one wobble of the afternoon.
However, in Rob Sehmi, they have one of the league’s best players. Sehmi is the current Cheshire wicket keeper, and is also a leading run scorer for the county this season. Indeed, he made 122 the following day in the county’s fixture against Shropshire. He judges the length of the ball quickly, and his footwork is out of the top draw. Whilst he was watchful against Greasley, he was not going to allow the maestro to just bowl. A huge six was seemingly just stroked, as some vocal home support tried to raise Marple spirits. He found a willing partner at number five in Jackson who appeared in little difficulty, smiting two mighty sixes of his own. The fourth wicket pair comfortably took the score to 91, before Jackson (29) was well caught from a skier by Brown at long on. Sehmi ended on 29 not out though, and Toft were easy victors by six wickets. For Marple Greasley had a valiant 4 for 29, but that was it. Marple remain second from bottom, and visit Cheadle at Kingsway ne3xt Saturday with an 11.30am start.
It proved to be just the start of a fantastic weekend for Toft, as on the Sunday they defeated Liverpool Competition side Ormskirk to go through to the national club T20 finals day at Derbyshire County Cricket Club.
Toft made it a Saturday double with a seven wicket victory over Marple seconds. After an opening stand of 50 between Sam Stretton (28) and Jonny Marshall (18), it was an all too familiar collapse for Marple. Once again, no batsman could go on, although Tom Headridge impressed with 18 coming in at eight. 103 all out was a poor show. James Hodgson’s off spin proved too good and he finished with 6 for 24. All of the home team’s top four managed starts, and Ewan Williams 24, and Max Nightingale 36 not out, wrapped up a straightforward seven wicket win. Stewart Bass chipped in with 3 for 22 for Marple.
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