Marple strike back in five-wicket win

MARPLE returned to winning ways with an excellent five wicket home win against Macclesfield last Saturday.

- MARK BROOK

The Michael Hibbert Cricket Ground resembled a Caribbean style arena, the outfield scorched brown by endless sunshine

Jack Grundy asked Macc to take first knock, and it was Ed Saxelby who bowled a fine opening spell in tandem with his skipper. They each bowled their ten allotted overs straight through.

The visitors slumped to 47 for 4, with Saxelby picking up 3 for 39, and Grundy, very accurate with 1 for 25.

The Macc lower order rallied somewhat, with Brad Porter, 27, Miles Bradshaw, 47, Ottis Palmes, 23, and Finn Nash 21 not out, all frustrating Marple but showing good skill and judgement.

Tom Reeve continued his good recent form in tough conditions, battling extremely well to record 2 for 43. A bonus was a first bowl in first team cricket for Joel Greasley.

He picked up Bradshaw and Palmes at a cost of 38 runs. Possibly strangely, left arm spinners Makin and Young only bowled 11 overs between them, taking 1 for 31.