Marple 201 all out (45.1 overs) 20 points beat Toft 194 all out (49.3 overs) 6 points by seven runs
When Marple skipper Jack Grundy lost the toss at Toft’s picturesque mid-Cheshire venue, it appeared that his opposite number, Will Dunkerley had the upper hand before a ball was bowled. After the recent heatwaves, rain had freshened up the pitch and outfield. The wicket was green, and had a good carry.
Marple were soon in trouble at 17 for 3, with the top three whittled out in no time to Dunkerley, Evan Turner, 0, Charlie Hodgson 5, and his partner Galvin, castling Feilen for 6. Eliot Young then played a brave and crucial innings. With the ball swinging and seaming around to the lively pace of Toft’s opening duo, Young grasped the initiative by attacking the bowling. Whilst he made just 29, his quickfire stand of 50 with the rock-like Owen Reilly forced a rethink from the home side. The scoring rate was well above normal, and Mark Makin had time to bed himself in as Reilly’s fifth wicket partner at 67 for 4.
Reilly, 53, continuing his fine season, dominated this stand of a further 59 runs, before being caught at deep mid-wicket from a well-timed pull stroke immediately after reaching an excellent, fourth half-century of the season.
Mike Schofield, returning to the side after a number of weeks away, then played another of his fluent innings of the 2026 season. Makin was in determined mood, and struck six fours and one effortless six in his responsible knock of 45. He was spectacularly yorked middle stump, by the returning Dunkerley at 175 for 6, after adding 49 classy runs with Schofield.
From this point on, Marple basically gifted the home side the final four wickets, and the innings fell away to 201 all out, with almost five overs unused. A frustrating end, after the middle order had done a terrific job in rescuing matters on a tricky surface. Dunkerley had 5 for 31, but the rest of the Toft bowling was inconsistent save for Hastings ten overs for just 28 runs.
The Toft reply began with absolutely solid application from 900 run man Connor Hastings. His partner George Muirhead looked to be more aggressive, but was defeated outside the off stump regularly by Grundy especially. They added 47, before Muirhead was lbw to George Clarke for 35. Adam Clorley, 21, added 41 more with Hastings, but there was no fluency as Marple’s varied attack slowly began to exert pressure. Clorley and Hastings, a painstaking 33, both fell to the deceptive flight of Niall Greenlees, and at 103 for 3, Toft had two new batters in with scoring rate rising.
Cheshire wicket-keeper batsman Liam Clorley 34, attempted to inject some urgency into the proceedings, but wickets fell at regular intervals. Forster, 17 and Lord, 18, succumbed to scoreboard pressure and Marple scented victory. With 24 needed from the final two overs, Toft looked to be done for. However, Dunkerley smote Young for successive sixes, but on attempting a third skimmed the ball to Charlie Hodgson at deep mid-wicket who took a terrific catch with the sun low in the sky in front of him.
George Clarke then removed the leg stump of Galvin in the final over to clinch a dramatic and vital victory for Marple, as Toft were bowled out for 194. Greenlees, brave and varied, had 4 for 40, Clarke, straight and true, 3 for 26, Young 2 for 21, and Makin 1 for 41.
This win almost certainly guarantees the continuation of division one cricket for Marple in 2027. It was especially welcome, as lowly, and underrated Alvanley comfortably defeated league leaders Widnes in West Cheshire, with England women’s star slow left armer Sophie Ecclestone taking 5 for 23. Next week sees the first of two consecutive home games against unpredictable and dangerous Maritime. Please note the earlier start time of 11.30 am.
Last Ball Thriller for the Seconds!
Looking at the scores, it would appear that Marple seconds’ five wicket over Maritime seconds was a comfortable one. 169 for 5 plays 168 all out. However, it proved a tense affair, as Marple only secure the win from the final delivery of the game!
Bill Anwar, with 67, held the Maritime innings together, with late support from Asad Khan, 35. Marple’s attack did a fine job. Dylan Hodgson, always a wicket-taking threat had 5 for 65, and skipper James Hirst 3 for 48. It was George Bailey though, with 2 for 10 from thirteen immaculate overs that kept Maritime in check.
Marple always had to work hard on reply. Matt Barrow was typically determined with 28, and Lewis Braddock made 13. It was the stand of 91 though, between James Crisall 62, and Ollie Hodgson a remarkably mature 37 from 85 deliveries that took Marple almost home. After both had fallen, it was a nervy finish, before George Bailey and Dylan Hodgson scrambled the final runs in the last over.
James Hirst’s side need one more win from the final three games to clinch their second eleven title.
Marple/Compstall thirds and fourths both suffered heavy defeats. The thirds lost by 95 runs at Compstall’s ground to Mobberley seconds, 186 for and M/C 91 all out. Willie Blackburn top-scored for Mobberley with 60. Sophie Sanders bowled her seven overs for just eight runs. The M/C innings was blown away, with Tom Porter’s 28 the highlight. Amir Bhatti and Mahmood Sultan both claimed three wickets.
The fourths were rolled for just 47 against Cheadle Hulme thirds. Jarvis Whatford, 13 not out, and Liam Tanker 11, the only players in double figures. Stuart Wilson, with a remarkable 7 for 6 was unplayable for Hulme.
Hulme slumped to 20 for 3, but Freddie Houghton 27 not out, and Rashid Khan 10 not out, saw home a seven wicket win, with Nick Smith 2 for 11 and Arthur Sergeant 1 for 7 showing up well for M/C.
M/C 5ths defeated Timperley 5ths by 4 runs in another nail biter on Sunday at the MHCG. M/C 170 all out, George Bailey 41, Sammy Grover 28 and Jonny Monk a quickfire 36. Ved Sakhi led a varied attack with 3 for 25. Timpers got close, but M/C held their nerve. Reddy Muttana hit 47, with Akshat Sharma 31. George Bailey continued his great bowling form of 2026 with 4 for 23, brother Ben 1 for 44, and Ollie Hodgson 2 for 48.
M/C sixth team beat Hawk Green thirds by 87 runs. M/C 179 for 8, Ed Frost 53, Jon Mason 28 and Tommy Seargeant 29. Jack Dutton, with 3 for 11 was excellent for the Greens. HG never got going in reply, and only Frank Williams 31, and Jacob Garraway 16 showed prolonged resistance. Tom Swarbrick 4 for 14, Arthur Seargeant 2 for 13, and Tommy Seargeant 3 for 13 for M/C.
Marple’s fantastic U19 side moved into the final stages of the Cheshire T20 competition with a 104 run thrashing of fancied Middlewich last Friday. A superb effort with the bat saw an out of sight total of 194 for 7 posted at Bowden Lane. Charlie Hodgson 27, Ed Skelton 41, George Bailey 18, Dylan Hodgson 16, Joe Bradley 15 not out and Tom Porter 17. Despite county star Liam Clorley hitting a brisk 30 in reply, Middlewich fell away to just 90, never challenging the formidable target. Dylan Clorley also hit 27. The wickets were shared for Marple, with Evan Turner 2, Dylan Hodgson 2, George Bailey 2, and Charlie Hodgson and Sophie Sanders one apiece.
Mark Brook