Marple lose out
AN ambitious young Toft outfit were ultimately too strong for Marple at Knutsford last Saturday.
Former Cheshire captain Andrew Hall was a late replacement as Marple skipper, and he elected to bat first on winning the toss on a fine, warm late June afternoon.
Hall opened up with Jim Morgan, but Morgan was unable to follow up his fine half century of the previous week, being bowled for a duck by Northants Colt Jack Goode in only the third over.
Hall was joined by Ryan Lindsay, promoted from the second eleven on the morning of the game due to the unavailability of normal captain Mark Bennett.
Lindsay gave Hall excellent and determined support after the early setback, and the second wicket pair put together a fine stand of 87 in good time.
Initially, Hall was the dominant partner, being particularly keen to get on top of Lomas when the left arm spinner was introduced.
First change for Toft, Pete Talbot bowled a useful spell and helped to stem the run rate as Hall and Lindsay both began to find the boundary.
He had Hall lbw for a fine 45, just when it appeared that a really big score was on for Marple’s still top class opener.
Sam Harbinson (2) was stifled today and soon bowled by Talbot at 106 for 3, and Lindsay himself, after showing excellent temperament and skill, was out soon afterwards again for 45, lbw to the nagging Lomas at 110 for 4.
This was a fine comeback to first team cricket from Lindsay, and the innings says as much about his character as his technical ability.
Marple numbers five and six, Mark Makin and Paul Wood are both in fine form at present, and they began to rebuild the innings for the visitors. Makin was always on the lookout for the loose delivery, and Wood was content to rotate the strike and get himself established.
The fifth wicket began to prosper as a stand of 56 came at a good rate. At 166 for 4 with plenty of overs remaining, Marple were surely looking a minimum of 220.
Sadly though, Makin’s fine knock of 42 came to an end when he was well caught behind by keeper Lord when leg spinner Rob Jones was belatedly introduced.
What followed for Marple was pretty much a disaster.
The lower order proved incapable of staying with Wood, and the side succumbed for only 186 all out after 49 overs.
Wood had shown that he is in excellent touch with security in defence, and also some fine forcing strokes in front of the wicket.
Paul Wood’s brother Chris can be probably be excused as he was out to a sensational diving catch by Jones, but the others will want to forget the lack of technique and application on view.
Paul Wood was left high and dry on 29 not out as Lomas recovered from his earlier harsh treatment to finish with 6 for 71 from 18 overs.
Bowlers at Toft are aware that any inaccuracy usually results in a boundary, and Sam Harbinson got off to a bad start with eleven runs, including three no balls, conceded from his first over to James Drummond and Jake Hancock.
Chris Wood, however, knew what was required and immediately turned the tables in his first over having both openers caught by his brother Paul in a double wicket maiden.
However, unluckily for Harbinson, Rob Jones is in prime form this season. Even the Marple seamer’s good deliveries were despatched for fours as the Young England and Lancashire second team batsman played a series of glorious off drives.