On his return to the side, Andy Brear won the toss and as usual opted to bat first on a very wet wicket but backed his team to outscore Marehay. Brear himself opened the batting with a restored Ian Walker, back opening the batting where he belongs. They had took the score to 10 until Brear who was no doubt still thinking of the lovely Menorcan sun was bowled by youngster Kyte for just 8 to the delight of all the Marehay players. Mark Fletcher came to the crease and looked in sublime touch. It was one of those Fletcher innings where every ball hit the sweet centre. Ian Walker who has been out of touch in the last month or so, struck two fours in one Bailey over which relieved the pressure off him. The pair had took the score to 96 when young Kyte who had come back for his 2nd spell, entised Walker into a pull shot which he mis-timed and Nash was there at mid wicket to take the catch. Walker fell for 31 and was understandably annoyed with himself after doing all the hard work. Adam Harchuk came to the crease to join Fletcher. But after only putting on 11, Fletcher went to drive Nash over the top and found Durrant at long off who took a well judged catch. Mark Fletcher had scored 52 which included 7 fours. His brother Paul came out next. Harchuk and Fletcher were looking to get after the bowling an accelerate the score upwards. In a partnership of 50 in quick time, Harchuk had raced to 30 with 6 fours when he played an identical shot to Mark Fletcher and was caught at long off this time by Lanyon. Jim Wright came in and made 6 out of a partnership of 29 was bowled for 6 by Mick Buckley. Mark Cliff came out next but Paul Fletcher had plans to get this score over 200 as he dealt some massive blows to the Marehay bowling attack. He hit 6 fours and 4 sixes in his unbeaten 67. He was particularly destainful towards Hemstocks bowling. Hemstock after a spell of 10-6-25-0 early on, finished up going for 63 off his 14, which included two massive sixes in the last over of the innings. So a score of 214-5 was posted. After the loss of Brear early on it was great to see the team pull together in a great looking scorecard. For Marehay Kyte (10-1-43-2) Nash (11-1-49-2) and Mick Buckley (7-0-29-1) all played their part. In reply Marehay got off to an awful start as with the 6th ball skipper Neil Wilby was bowled round his legs with a fantastic late outswinger from Paul Fletcher for a duck. He was replaced by young Marehay batting prospect Bradder, who was brave in getting in line to Fletcher and Swain who had the new ball. As Bradder appeared to have a defensive approach, Brear used a clever tactic in giving left arm spinner Jim Wright a bowl, in an attempt to lure Bradder into a shot or two. It worked a treat as Wrights 6th ball was straight up in the air and caught by keeper Parkinson for 2. Lanyon game out to join Durant who had survived a chance to 2nd slip off Richard Swain. Mark Fletcher the culprit. He was less fortunate when he had 27 as Parkinson who was stood up to Richard Swain, stumped Durant brilliantly. So at 36-3 Marehay were struggling. A stand of 72 between Lanyon and Walters took the score to 108. Lanyon had looked in great touch but his run out for 38 after good work from Colley and Harchuk dented any aspirations of victory Marehay may have had. Despite some good shots from both players, it must be said at this point 8 catches had hit the floor and surely in the end cost Stapleford a win. Mark Fletcher (3) Cliff (2) Swain, Walker and Parkinson were all to blame for their lapse in concentration. Harchuk (9-4-24-0) bowled well without much luck and was replaced in the attack by Mark Fletcher, who gave his captain something to think about as he took 3 late wickets for 13 in his 3 overs of left arm medium pace. He bowled Walters who had hit 8 fours in his 55, had Hemstock well caught by Colley at mid off for 14, and had Kyte caught by Walker for 12 as Kirk and Buckley had to produce a late reagard to stem a Stapleford victory. They played out the last 2 overs to earn Marehay a losing draw as they made 165-7. Paul Fletcher (10-3-24-1) bowled well for Stapleford but as was said before, some woeful catching which you expect at 2nd team level was displayed and in the end cost Stapleford the match.
Final Result
Stapleford Town (17) 214-5 (Walker 31, M Fletcher 52, Harchuk 30, P Fletcher 67*) drew with Marehay (8) 165-7 (Lanyon 38, Walters 55, M Fletcher 3-13)
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