Wilkinson's spin puts paid to Marple hopes

THE 2025 season got underway on a dry April Saturday, but a cold easterly wind blew across Bramhall’s attractive but exposed acres.

- MARK BROOK

Young players from both teams showed their considerable skills, and it was left to Bramhall veteran, the wily off-spinner Simon Wilkinson, to mop up the Marple innings with 5 for 37, as scoreboard pressure took its toll on the lower order.

Before the game, there was a moving ceremony in memory of the long-standing Bramhall legend Barry Rickson, who had passed away some weeks previously.

Players and officials stood as Richard Cragg delivered a poignant tribute. Barry was a well-loved figure, not just at Bramhall, but throughout the league, and especially so at Marple, where he had many friends.

Bramhall skipper Wilkinson won the toss and elected to bat first, no doubt hoping that following weeks of dry weather, the conditions would favour his top order.

Against the steady bowling of Jack Grundy and Marple newcomer Owen Reilly, the home side made good progress, with openers Greg Dixon and Kenul Watawana adding 55.

It was first change seamer Ed Saxelby though who had the latter smartly taken at first slip by James Crisall for 20. Bramhall’s overseas allrounder Liam Molloy was then bowled by Mark Makin, third ball for a duck, and Bramhall’s good start had been undone.

Jack Bridgman (7) never settled, appearing fretful, and he was deceived by Charlie Hodgson’s leg spin, chipping a catch to Joel Greasley at square cover. Marple had seized the initiative back at 73 for 3.

However, the consistent Dixon was immovable, and he was joined by young debutant, the stylish left-hander Charlie Smith.

If there were nerves on his first appearance they did not show, as this strongly built eighteen year old soon settled into the dominant stand of the home innings with Dixon. Marple’s new captain Grundy shuffled his bowlers around, but could not prevent the fourth wicket pair adding 87 increasingly fluent runs.