Stapleford arrived at Marehay in a nice array of sunshine. It was the the finest weather for an opening fixture we had had in years. Stapleford were batting 1st in this 1st match of the season and it wasnt long before Brear was into his stride with some delightful shots. He drove, cut and pulled his way to a delightful century with hardly a false shot. He was ably supported by Ian Walker who was sticking around while Brear blitzed it at the other end. It came as a massive shock as Brear recieved a slow full toss from Kirk and Brear mistimed the shot and was out to a fine running catch. Mark Fletcher replaced Brear after a fine opening hit of 176 for the 1st wicket. Walker then started playing a more aggressivly because with wickets in hand, Stapleford had the chance of getting a very large score indeed. Mark Fletcher joined in the fun with 2 delightful straight sixes. He yielded 35 quickfire runs before he was bowled by left arm spinner Mick Buckley. Fletcher was replaced by Harchuk. By this time, Walker had silently moved into the 90s. The plan from here was for Walker to get to three figures, then declare, but to every Stapleford players disappointment, no more so than Walker, he was bowled by Griffin for a fine 95. Steve Morley joined Harchuk but after 44 overs were bowled, the declaration had come with the score on 259-3 with Harchuk finishing on 3* and Morley on 1*. Marehays most successful bowler was Mick Buckley who bowled very well bowling 13 overs 1-47
After a fine tea laid by Marehay, the home team began with their reply. It couldnt have got off to a worse start as Gregory edged Mark Fletcher to Brear at 1st slip in only the 2nd over. Tinsley was next to fall as he skied Mark Cliff to Harchuk at square leg who took a well judged catch. Wickets carried on tumbling as Mark Cliff, Mark Fletcher and Adam Harchuk all took 2 wickets a piece, but the real destoyer was Steve "Nobby" Halford who took 3-32 and took the game right away from Marehay. With 9 wickets down and plenty of overs left, the result seemed a forgone conclusion, but the last wicket pair put on a stand of nearing 50, what does mr golden arm do? he brings himself on and like most things he does on a cricket pitch, it always brings the team success and Mr Brear finished it off taking a fine caught and bowled to end Marhays resistance at 125 all out giving Stapleford victory by 134 runs.
Final Result
Marehay (3) 125 all out (Halford 3-32) lost to Stapleford Town (27) 259-3 (Brear 117, Walker 95, Fletcher 35) by 134 runs
|
Contact SportNetwork.net | Join Us: Official | Join Us: Unofficial | Advertise on SportNetwork.net | Complain | Our Links
