Hyde Prevail in Tense Quarter-final Tie!
Hyde 213 for 4 beat Marple 209 all out by six wickets!
After the previous day’s lacklustre league performance at Bowdon, Marple restored some pride with a brave challenge to premier league high fliers Hyde at the MHCG last Sunday.
A superb stand between Jack Feilen 58, and Charlie Hodgson 59, put the varied Hyde attack under real pressure. Boundaries flowed from both players all around the wicket, with some superb strokeplay. The innings stalled somewhat after both players were dismissed, but Owen Reilly 28, and Captain, Jack Grundy 19 not out ensured the final score went above 200 with three deliveries remaining. The wickets were shared amongst the Hyde bowlers.
In the reply, the visiting top order was kept under relative control by Grundy and Reilly, with Luke Young not his usual fluent self. However, despite losing opening partner Arshad 7, run out at 14 for 1, Grindlay 31, added 75 careful runs with Young. The required run rate was climbing, but Hyde are very experienced at this form of the game, knowing they have a powerful engine room. Although Young 58, fell to his brother Eliot well held by Feilen at 131 for 3, some absolutely brutal striking from Cheshire skipper Andrew Jackson 60 not out, backed up by Coby Fitzsimmons with 36, saw Hyde to victory with nine deliveries remaining.
Although there was no disgrace for the home side in losing to such a powerful side, Marple appeared to be on the wrong end of a number of close decisions towards the end of the game. That being said, the firepower of Jackson was something to behold.
Marple/Compstall 5ths lost by 35 runs away to Stockport Georgians thirds. SG posted 175 for 8, Carlos Wakefield 44, Faisal Shah 31 and Danny Archer 32. Ollie Hodgson continued his fine weekend with 4 for 37, and Tom Bradbury 2 for 15.
It was a struggle for M/C in the reply in the face of some tight bowling. George Bailey was dogged with 45 and Tom Lloyd whacked a rapid 40 from just 20 deliveries. However, once he fell at 136 for 6, the innings fell away quickly to just 140 all out. Qasim Quaiyoom had 3 for 47 for Georgians.