Tide turning

for Marple, and looked set for three figures, when he miscued Reid to deep midwicket where Rowe safely pouched the catch, with the score 113 for 3.

Morgan had hit ten beautifully timed fours in his knock.

This situation might have provoked a crisis for Marple, but Sam Harbinson and Mark Makin, at five this game, continued almost without incident.

Makin took three fours from a Sturrock over, and the pair ran well between the wickets.

They were content to be watchful against Reid, but took toll of some short deliveries from Sturrock.

Worrall’s decision to bring back Windle in place of Sturrock backfired, as Makin took 28 runs from two overs including three sixes.

Harbinson played in controlled fashion throughout an excellent fourth wicket stand of 87, always playing pure cricket strokes. Makin completed a superb and unselfish 52 before falling to Reid at 200 for 4. Har- binson ended on 43 not out, once more showing secure technique and good judgement throughout. The final total of 207 for 4 saw Marple bring up maximum batting points for only the second time this season.

Two rain delays earlier in the afternoon meant that Alderley had only 34 overs to reach their target.

However, in Calum Rowe and Alan Day, they have the two form openers in the league this season.

Anything remotely off line from Marple bowlers Harbinson and Chris Wood, was despatched to the boundary, and both players looked in top form as a stand of 114 was posted for the first wicket.

However, despite the batsmen’s dominance, it seemed that a couple of wickets could change things dramatically due to the required run rate.

Spinners, Young and Greasley replaced the seamers, and it became apparent that scoring was not quite so easy, as Greasley in particular managed to get the ball to grip.

Day (54), after a classy half century, was well caught by Jack Marshall, and then Rowe was deceived in flight and bowled by Greasley at 136 for 2.

Former Lancashire opener Mark Currie (32) threatened to win the game for Alderley with his bold improvisations, but after Reid and Wildig fell cheaply, he was well taken by Morgan with the score at 174 for 5.

Marple had put down a number of chances of varying difficulty, Young three times the unlucky bowler, but the overs were running out for the visitors.

With 29 needed from two overs, a tame ending looked on the cards.

However, Sturrock was not about to give up the chase. 23 runs came from the penultimate over bowled by Young, Sturrock (25) striking three mighty sixes.

Crucially though, he was off strike for the final over bowled by Greasley.

When he managed to get on strike, he lofted the ball to long on, only to be well taken by Bennett.

From the last ball of the game, Alderley managed to lose a ninth wicket to a third run out, as the batsmen desperately hoped for miraculous overthrows.

Alderley closed on 205 for 9 as the game produced a frantic finale.

Andy Greasley bowled with skill and held his nerve to finish with 6 for 52, whilst Eliot Young was far better than his final figures would suggest.

Marple were probably happy to come out just on top in this game, with satisfaction at a solid batting performance.

The number of missed chances was once more a concern, but the tide seems to be turning as summer takes over from spring.

Next week sees a visit to league leaders Toft, with a 12.30pm start.

Marple seconds lost a tight game by two wickets at Alderley Edge.

A determined eighth wicket stand between Andy Wild (40 not out), and skipper George Clarke (33) gave Marple hope as they recovered from 40 for 4 reach a competitive 143 all out.

For Alderley, the scourge of all Marple sides, left arm spinner Mark Warnes, had 6 for 52.

Clarke led his bowlers after tea with another fine return of 4 for 35 from 14 overs. He was supported well by Greg Marsland and Andy Hayes who took a couple of wickets apiece. Jonathan Usher was Alderley’s match winner with a commanding 56 not out.

It was double defeat for Marple’s Sunday teams against Cheadle.

The thirds collapsed form 70 for 1 to 141 all out at Bowden Lane, Matt Leech 33 and David Brook 29.

Marple’s bowlers made their talented opponents work hard for victory, but a five wicket win was achieved with three overs remaining.

The fourths were bowled out for only 49 at Cheadle and lost by eight wickets.