Marple inspired
ANDREW Hall hit a second successive century for Marple as they beat local rivals Bramhall by 36 runs at Bowden Lane last Saturday.
The victory saw Marple take 25 points to Bramhall’s five.
Records tumbled as Hall flayed the visiting attack to the tune of 182 runs!
His remarkable innings contained 126 runs in boundaries, made up of 21 fours and seven sixes.
Visiting captain Nick Cantello must have rued his decision to insert the home team on a fine, sunny July afternoon.
The Marple ground was in excellent shape, with the outfield lighting fast and a pitch that encouraged strokeplay, but also provided hope for skilful bowlers.
Bramhall’s Rupes Kitzinger is one such bowler, and his opening spell was a testing one.
He bowled a searching length, and managed to achieve some awkward bounce due to his height of six feet 8 inches.
His partner,Danny Lamb was pacy, but both the Marple openers appeared untroubled.
Jim Morgan was looking in good touch, but a mix up with Hall saw Morgan (7) run out when the score was only 12.
Ryan Lindsay (4) could not stay with Hall this week, and edged a lifting delivery from Kitzinger to stand in keeper uz- Zaman at 29 for 2.
This was the high point for Bramhall in the field. Skipper Mark Bennett joined Hall and although Simon Wilkinson settled well at the start of his spell, neither player looked concerned.
In fact Bennett was the player to initially attack the normally accurate Wilkinson, hitting him over the infield on a couple of occasions.
Hall was obviously set on a big score, and a good sized crowd was treated to some top quality batting, with both players finding the boundary with increasing regularity.
Kitzinger’s worthy spell gave him 1 for 34 from 11 overs, but although Cantello tried several bowlers at the pavilion end, none were able to exert any further control.
Wilkinson was unusually expensive, and even a change of ends was of no benefit to him today. Youngster, Clarke began well for Bramhall, but he too was soon given harsh treatment as the third wicket raised 148 in quick time.
When Bennett was stumped off Clarke for a fine 61, Mark Makin played an unselfish innings of 26 not out, all in singles, in support of Hall. In the fourth wicket stand of 109, Hall became even more dominant.
The combination of timing and power on view in this fantastic innings will long be remembered by those present.
When he was well caught by Hughes at deep mid wicket in the final over for 182, a Marple individual league record, he received a long ovation on his return to the pavilion.
To chase down a total of 287 requires excellent batting over a long period. Bramhall set off in pursuit with a positive intent with West (34) finding the boundary a number of times.
Marple welcomed back