Premier League - 2nd XI (H) v Marple CC, 6 September 2014

Spirits were high for the last home game of the season and having losing the toss (again), Chester were invited to bat. Ed Roberts and Bob Evans set about proceedings in a positive fashion, before the latter was bowled for 15 in the 7th over. Ed continued to keep things moving along nicely having been joined by Guy Dunvavand, hitting the spinners crisply down the ground, until a change of bowling saw him lose his wicket as well. Enter Matthew Griffiths, thumb bandaged and cortisoned-up, who having settled himself with some customary well-run singles, then began to smash the bowling to all parts (mainly with one hand). After Guy departed to a somewhat dubious LBW decision for 30, Karl briefly joined Griff before Skipper Riley took to the stage; no more batters required. Dan's power hitting added to Griff's continued dominance of the bowling and between them they added over 100 runs in the last 10 overs of the innings, which closed on 258-4 from 48 overs. Griff finished with a superb 114 not out, Dan declaring on himself 49 not out.

With the sun shining, Chester took to the field looking to put early pressure on the Marple batsmen. Sam Mallows did just that and more, having switched ends to use the slope to his advantage. He took a wicket with his second ball, caught behind by Tom Evans, and never looked back. He bowled with pace and accuracy, beating the bat on numerous occasions, and was rewarded with 5 of his 6 victims being caught behind or at 1st slip. Too good. A streamlined Francis was miserly at the other end, conceding just 9 runs off 6 overs, before Dave Atkin nipped in quietly to get rid of the dangerous Gary Cash. With Sam sending it round corners one end, Atko managed to nip another couple out and with Shane Patel coming on as Sam ran out of steam to pick up the 10th wicket with his 4th ball, it was job done. Tom managed to pick up an injury to his finger (later to be confirmed as a fracture), so Karl Steadman stepped in and claimed 3 good catches, plus the injured Griff and a strapped up Tom also managed to snaffle a catch each. 6-35 off 15 quality overs for Sam, 3-35 for Atko and 1 for Shanus. Top team effort, 25 points to 1. Resounding. Macc away next week and then boots hung up for the winter