Frazzled Marple Run Ragged Before Melberzs’ Peaches!
Port Sunlight 290 for 4 (50 overs) 20 points beat Marple 201 all out (42.1 overs) 4 points by 89 runs.
On a late April Saturday more suited to mid-July, Marple suffered a second defeat of the 2026 season, being soundly beaten, and not a little bruised, by a focussed and powerful Port Sunlight side at an idyllic Bowden Lane.
Sunlight’s top order put Marple to the sword, led by Chris Elliott, who made a scintillating 134 not out including 15 fours and two sixes. Earlier, Ben Nuttall had struck 46, but it was the third wicket stand of 155 between Elliott and the impressive Joe Hodgson, who made an effortless 61, that put paid to Marple. The running between the wickets from all the visiting batters put Marple’s fielding under pressure from the start, and there appeared little they could do to stem the flow of runs. The outfield was uneven in places, but many smart singles were taken.
As in the game at Sale the previous week, the Marple bowling was mixed. Good deliveries were sent down, but there was a generous helping of boundary balls that were gleefully dispatched, particularly by Elliott. Grundy was Marple’s most potent bowler with 2 for 45, and Eliot Young was tidy with 0 for 30. There were wickets for third seamer Adam Carter, on debut, and Owen Reilly.
After inserting the opposition on a good track with a lightning fast outfield, it was a weary group that left the field at the break.
Things began well for Marple though in the reply. Jack Feilen looked in great touch once more, and he stroked nine fours and one six in an elegant 58, before being adjudged caught behind off skipper and off-spinner Melberzs at 98 for 3. Evan Turner had once more looked a good partner for Feilen reaching the teens, 17, before dragging on to the same bowler. They added 61 for the first wicket.
The middle order was blown away by Melberzs, who found grip and turn that had proved elusive earlier. Marple slumped to 125 for 7, and seemingly dead and buried. However, Adam Carter, on debut, played a fine and brave knock batting at eight. He hit eleven powerful boundaries in a spirited 69 from just 73 balls. He added 69 with Jacob Noakes,13, for the eighth wicket in quick time. However, the victory target was too distant and the innings ended on 201. Melberzs was the difference with a telling 6 for 36, supported by slow left-armer Jordan Collyer with 2 for 45.
A tough defeat this for Marple, who must have rued asking a powerful visiting top order to take first knock. Also puzzling was the decision not to give a few overs to Feilen’s off spin, especially as the quicker bowlers had all been relatively expensive.
Next week Marple visit Widnes for the first time in a number of seasons, start time 12.00 noon.
Marple seconds comfortably defeated Alderley Edge seconds at Moss Lane by 74 runs.
Marple 205 all out, James Crisall 79. For Edge Max Otway took 3 for 50.
When the home side replied, it was wily leg spinner Niall Greenlees with 4 for 28, and young and impressive seamer Ed Skelton with 4 for 17 who wrecked the innings. Only Jonny Steele, with 41, stayed for any length of time as James Hirst’s side got off to winning ways.
Both of the Marple/Compstall sides recorded fine wins in the Cheshire League.
M/C thirds defeated Urmston thirds by seven wickets at Compstall. Urmston 119 for 8 with Ab Hayat 47. Andy Massey had 3 for 32 and Tom Bradbury 2 for 17. In the reply, Lewis Braddock was not hanging about, as he smashed a brutal 73 not out including ten fours and a six. Ben Cunniffe, with 27 gave good support as the third wicket added 97 in quick time.
M/C fourths soundly thrashed Macclesfield 5ths by 84 runs, as a solid batting card took the home bowling to task. Tom Swarbrick, 28, Ed Frost, 28, Craig Young 40, Jack Wiedemann 21, and Josh Kirk 31, all helped post 176 for 7. Nick Bourne, with 2 for 37, and Adam Tunnicliffe 2 for 28 did well for Macc. This total was never in reach as the home struggled to 92 all out, Ivan Harale 34. Tom Seargent 4 for 28, Adam Seargent 3 for 12, Chris Lloyd 2 for 20 and Josh Hurren 1 for 19 were unstoppable for M/C.
Mark Brook