Leaders become latest to fall short

LEAGUE leaders Oulton Park became the latest side to discover that chasing a target at Bowden Lane has a become a difficult undertaking this season.

After winning the toss and asking Marple to bat, Park were no doubt pretty happy at the drinks break.

Andrew Hall and Mark Makin had struggled to time the ball against the nagging attack of Parkinson and Hards.

With a run rate of not much above two an over, there were a few anxious eyes on the scoreboard from the home players and spectators.

However, the key statistic was no wickets down.

Hall began to find his touch first, and change bowlers Kashif and East began to suffer some heavy punishment.

The opening stand reached 139 before Hall fell to East for a terrific 82. Although Morgan went two balls later for a duck, Makin now came into his own, with Wood quickly finding his from in support.

Makin was run out for 70 at 167 for three, the overs running out, but Andy Wild (11) and Wood (26*) added 28 in rapid time.

A final total of 200 for 6 was an excellent effort against an awkward attack. East had three wickets but was expensive, his eight overs costing 51 runs. Marple’s young swing and seam bowler Jack Grundy relishes playing against Oulton Park, and he set things rolling in the field for Marple.

He removed East for 1,