Run Outs Prove Costly For Marple!
Bramhall 173 for 6 (48.5 overs) 20 points beat Marple 167 for 9 (50 overs) 4 points by four wickets
After posting one their best opening stands of the season, 63, between Conor Ramsay (30) and Matt Barrow (23), the run outs of leading run scorers Zac Phair for 2 and Mark Makin for a duck, caused a serious loss of momentum for Marple at Bramhall’s Church Lane venue last Saturday.
However, from 67 for 4, Marple did recover somewhat, to post a reasonable total of 167 for 9 after 50 overs. Once more, Charlie Hodgson impressed with the bat under pressure. Following on from his maiden half century the previous week, here he made a stylish 34. Marple’s nine, ten and eleven, Ed Saxelby, 20, Andy Wild, 16 not out, and almost unbelievably at eleven (!), Andrew Hall, 15 not out, took Marple to the sort of score they had managed to defend in the early weeks of the season. Slow left arm spinner, Ryan Macchiocchi was the pick for Bramhall with 4 for 20. Ashley West had 2 for 38.
The home side’s response was measured in the face of some good, accurate bowling from the Marple line up. Max Marinic led the way with an attractive and controlled 83. He looked a class part from the other batters, although Patel, Cantello and Bridgeman all gave him valuable support. Rob Kingham had given the visitors a real boost, removing the league’s form player Greg Dixon for a second ball duck, lbw, and few liberties were taken with the bowling.
Marinic was deceived and bowled by Mark Makin for 83 at 144 for 5, but he had done a fine job for his side, playing some beautiful strokes around the wicket, including eleven fours. Oliver Latter made light of the remaining runs required, hitting a breezy and confident 22 not out, and he pulled a Makin delivery into the pavilion for six to complete a hard earned win for his team.
The Marple bowlers stuck well to their task, but Marinic’s knock was the highlight of the afternoon. Makin had 3 for 37, Phair 1 for 26, Kingham 1 for 37 and Hodgson 1 for 43, with Grundy accurate with 0 for 27.
Next week sees two games, both at home at the Michael Hibbert Cricket Ground. On Saturday, Stockport Georgians are the visitors, whilst on Sunday, likely champions, Brooklands complete the season.
Marple seconds made no mistake in hammering Cheadle Hulme in their must win game at Bowden Lane. The visitors were sent packing for just 86 all out in 28 overs. Number nine, Niall Greenlees top scored with 21. Tom Reeve had 3 for 36, George Clarke, 3 for 31, James Hirst 1 for 14, and George Bailey wrapped things up with 2 for 0 from just three deliveries bowled!
An opening stand of 52 between Dan Cox, 21, and Jamie Massey, 27, took away any nerves in the reply. Mike Schofield, with 15, and James Crisall, 13 not out, ensured a comfortable six wicket win in the 22nd over.
The seconds are in mid table in a really tight division. They have two away matches next week at Heaton Mersey and Bramhall.