With the vast majority of fixtures over the weekend (including Alderley's First and Third XI) falling victim to the heavy rain Alderley Edge Second XI managed to complete their match against fellow strugglers Marple at Bowden Lane securing a winning draw.
Marple won the toss and elected to bowl first in the match with both sides starting the day in the two relegation positions in the Second XI Premier Division, Tom Charmers taking two quick wickets in the opening overs to leave Alderley with work to do at 22-2. A battling innings of 73 from number 4 Archie Vaughan helped Alderley out of trouble and in a 110-run partnership with number 5 Ashray Bhamidipati, who hit 64 not out, the pair took Alderley on to 173-4 to seize control of the game. The strong finish to the innings allowed Alderley skipper Jonny Usher to declare 1 over early on 188-4 giving his bowlers 41 overs to dismiss the hosts.
A bright start with the ball for Alderley saw Marple reduced to 34-2 before Tom Reeve (44) and Mike Schofield (43) shared in a 78-run stand for the third wicket to take the home side into three figures. Beginning with the dismissal of Schofield, a superb spell of 5-18 from Ben Chapman almost seized victory for Alderley, triggering a slump in the hosts' order from 130-4 to 150-9 but with 4 balls left to face in the match Marple's final pair survived to claim 7 points to Alderley's 15.
Those points may prove vital in Alderley's season, putting Usher's side within 10 points of the three sides above them with five games of the season remaining.
Match report by Andrew Windle.
