To young Toft

Despite losing Hughes to the excellent Chris Wood, there was no playing himself in today for Jones, as when Greasley replaced Harbinson, a furious assault was launched on Marple’s venerated off spinner.

Last season Greasley had destroyed Toft with a seven wicket return, but today his first three overs went for 36, and Hall had no option but to remove him from the attack.

Obviously words had been said in the Toft dress- ing room as to how to combat Greasley! Ageless left arm spinner for Marple, Andy Hayes, promoted from the second team, then did his team proud by deceiving Jones to bowl him for a rapid 57, with nine fours and two sixes.

At 99 for 4 Marple had a sniff of victory, but Jake Dickinson and Ed Stubbs continued where Jones left off. Chris Wood had been the only bowler capable of giving Hall any control on the day, but when he was rested, the runs flowed again, particularly from Dickinson (60) who also hit nine fours and two sixes.

Stubbs (30) provided solid support in a stand of 72 for the fifth wicket.

Harbinson picked up a couple of wickets when he returned, and Chris Wood removed Dickinson, stumped by Makin when he came back for a second spell.

The victory, which came up in only the 32nd over, was never in doubt for the home team, despite Marple sticking to their task in trying circumstances.

Chris Wood was the stand out bowler for Marple with 4 for 47 in 13 overs, but the rest took some heavy punishment at the hands of a confident young side that sits on top of the Cheshire County Premier League at the halfway point of the season.

Marple will look at this defeat with some concern as it leaves them in eleventh position in the league. In this game, seven players managed just five runs between them including four ducks in an innings of 186 containing 20 extras.

The bottom five in the order could muster a mere three runs.

Marple have to accept that they are in a relegation battle with four other teams this season.

The league is not so tight this season, and maybe a handful of wins will be enough to stay up.

Next week sees a key game for the side with a visit to bottom club Grappenhall, a 12.30pm start.