Neighbours prove party poopers on anniversary

DESPITE a terrific knock of 99 from Keagan Lynch, Marple were comfortably defeated by second placed Bramhall at the MHCG last Saturday.

- MARK BROOK

Lynch was initially well supported by Mark Makin, 13, in an opening stand of 41, and Max Fitzgerald, 34, with 80 for the second wicket.

However, from that point on, despite plenty of overs remaining, a combination of an excellent spell from legspinner Liam Molloy, and some poor game management from Marple’s middle order, saw a collapse to 158 for 5.

Lynch succumbed to a beauty from Molloy that lifted and caught the edge of his bat to be taken by keeper Dixon at 173 for 5.

With his departure, the momentum of the innings stalled. Despite Andy Wild, 16 not out, and Ed Saxelby, 10, taking the total beyond 200 the final tally of 212 was a long way short of what had looked possible earlier.

Bramhall have a line up of spinners the envy of every side in the league, and the loss of seamer Latter, to a hand injury sustained from a fierce Fitzgerald drive, did not affect them.

On this day it was the fizzing leg spin of Molloy with 6 for 35 that did the damage, but off spinner Wilkinson 1 for 37, and slow left armers Macciocchi, 1 for 29 and Webb 0 for 41, delivered few easy pickings.

Matters deteriorated further when Marple took the field.

‘The visitors were gifted a surfeit of extras with wayward bowling accounting for ultimately 44 of them, including 24 wides and 18 leg byes.