Marsh headed back up the table after a very good win at East & West Hendred.
Marsh won the toss and elected to bat on what looked to be the usual excellent Hendred batting track. Early signs were that it was going to be a little more tricky than usual after rain the previous day but Toftsy and Ollie started well against the home sides useful opening attack and got the innings off to a steady start before….wait for it……3 wickets fell in quick succession taking Marsh from 20 odd for 0 to 20 odd for 3! Joe and newly promoted skipper Carlos (19) steadied the ship with a very good partnership consisting of a good mixture of consolidation and fine stroke-play. After Carlos went Joe (suitably hydrated having brought the Freddie 2 Ltr bottle of squash) took the innings forward and top-scored with 35 but Marsh looked to be on course for a below par score with a strong Hendred batting line-up waiting in the wings. Some late order hitting from Big Dave (28), Frankie (17), Sat (12, who recieved a standing ovation from the home teams fielders at his adopted home when his distinctive vehicle entered the car park!) and Dales (7no) got Marsh up to a reasonable total given our earlier position, but one which we would have to be at our best to defend.
After an outstanding tea (and it really was outstanding!) Marsh took to the field, knowing that we would have to bowl and field excellently to keep the runs down and apply some pressure to the Hendred boys. Thats exactly what happened with Stevie ‘i’m not coming back on if you take me off’ Turner bowling splendidly, ending with fine figures of 12.5.20.2 (taking his wicket tally for the season to 25), whilst Granty at the other end was looking to put the previous weeks disappointment behind him…which he did in fine style with a magnificent spell of 4-27 to take Marsh within sight of victory, backed up by a nice little spell by Frankie. Grantie, on course for 40 wickets for the season proved yet again he’s probably Marsh’s most consistent performer with the ball, but that didn’t stop him from being suitably fined for jug avoidance after being unable to get the elusive 5-for at the end. Marsh’s victory was delayed slightly by a late rally from Hendreds lower order, but the victory was polished off by Satty who took the final wicket.
A great victory after perhaps under achieving slightly with the bat was marred somewhat by a freak injury to Toftsy who unfortunately appears to have fractured his ankle in 3 places after an awkward fall and accidental collision. We are all hoping Stu gets fit again very soon and that he is back playing for us again next season. A big thanks must go to our friends from Hendred who assisted Stu greatly whilst we were in the field and who kindly shipped him off to A&E.
A good days cricket (albeit the injury to Toftsy) played against a good bunch of lads in a beautiful setting, thats what its all about!!
Marsh (still on for our highest ever position as a league club) look to continue up the table at home to league leaders Minster Lovell next Saturday, 1.30 start.
Dave
