Fall to defeat

41 from 13 overs.

When Bowdon replied, despite Chris Wood demanding respect with his testing opening spell, Marple were never able to put the home side under any serious pressure.

Jack Tipton grafted his way to 41, much in the manner of his illustrious father Paul, the former Cheshire and Lancashire second team opening bat.

A solid base was provided for Carl Hey (30), skipper Simon Marshall (63 not out) and Patrick Ashling (28 not out) to see Bowdon comfortable winners by seven wickets with almost eight overs remaining.

Next Saturday Marple are back at Bowden Lane with an always eagerly awaited meeting with high flying Alderley Edge, 12.30pm start.

Top quality centurions Will Darby and Haroon Ahmed with a 200 plus opening stand saw Marple seconds get back on track with a fifth win of the season against Urmston seconds at Bowden Lane last Saturday.

Urmston must have felt that they were in the box seat, having rattled up a formidable 247 for 6 in the fifty overs, veteran Andy Hayes another five wicket haul.

However, Darby and Ahmed, centuries apiece, produced what is probably a Marple second eleven record opening partnership as victory by seven wickets was achieved with time to spare.

Marple thirds battled to a losing draw at Toft on Sunday. Toft totalled a challenging 224 for 5 in the 45 overs with Danny Lord 106, and Chris Drummond 53 leading the charge. Rick Windsor weighed in with 3 for 47 for Marple. The visitors gave a good account of themselves in reply, reaching 203 for 8. Seven players reached double figures, with Windsor (38) top scoring.

Marple fourths were on top against Ashley thirds, but could only take seven wickets as Ashley posted 137 for 7 in response to Marple’s 217 for 5. Skipper Rick Major led the way with a hard hit half century for Marple, adding 100 with Paul Roberts. He was well supported by Muz Tariq with 59. When Ashley batted, Abdul Khan was impressive with 4 for 9 in 10 overs of accurate seam bowling.