Glorious start for Christleton

Apr 25 2003 Christopher Beesley

CHRISTLETON made a winning start to their Murray Smith Cheshire County League season by picking up 25 points from their low-scoring home match against Marple in Division Two.

They lost the toss, giving Marple first use of a pitch that looked full of runs. But the run-fest never materialised owing to the excellent quality of the home team's bowling dis-play.

Openers Greg Malkin and Matt Parkinson set the scene with controlled and hostile spells. The job, started by Malkin (1-3) and Parkinson (3-25), was finished by off-spinner Guy Newell who dropped on to a deadly length and found a little turn. He bowled hardly a bad ball in taking 5-13 from 15 overs.

A wicket from debutant Ben Briscoe rounded off an impressive performance by all the Christleton bowlers and sent Marple into tea at a dejected 98 all out, a far different story from last season when the same team amassed a score of 250 on the same pitch.

In response, Christleton opened with skipper Jim Gillson and Irishman Darren McCann, who managed only a few appearances last season, and his availability this season will lend cohesion to the Little Heath club's early batting.

Dismissal after a promising 21 brought Aussie Todd Campbell to the crease for his debut. He showed just why he had brought his bat 10,000 miles by smashing a disconsolate attack to all parts for a rapid 42 not out that promised much for the rest of the season.

With Gillson contributing a solid 30 not out, the win was secured in quick time as Christleton laid down a marker of intent for the season.

The seconds completed a good day for the club by beating Marple, who were bowled out for 123, in reply to Christleton's 170-5 (Mike Hollindale 66).

* Tattenhall's return to the County League was inauspicious as they settled for a losing draw against Birkenhead Park, who posted 188 after going well at one stage at 129-2.

Mel Dobson (2-23) and Gary Forster (5-19) were largely responsible for the Tattenhall comeback with the help of wicket-keeper Roy Sandford who claimed five victims.

At 60 without loss, it looked promising for Tattenhall in reply. But after losing Andy Phelan for 40, the middle order didn't show much resistance, leaving Rob Okell (27 not out) and Dobson (14 not out) to see out the last 14 overs with a finishing score of 133-8.

Set a target of 210 by Birkenhead Park, the second team reached their target with seven overs to spare, thanks to a magnif icent 108 not out by Rob Murrey, supported by Martin Dowle (30) and Keith Owen (32).

* Chester Boughton Hall seconds started with a heavy defeat at home to Bramhall, who posted a formidable 232-3 before Hall were sent crashing to 86 all out (Chris Fleet 20, Phil Thomas 18 not out).

The thirds were close to a win at Neston, reaching 220 with relative ease. Skipper Jamie Brown hit 50 and Ed Mitchell 68 before Neston shut up shop and settled for 175-9.

After slumping to 69-5, the fourths recovered to 162, thanks mainly to veteran Cliff Mallows's 65, but Neston won comfortably by seven wickets.

* The Meller Braggins Cheshire League starts tomorrow with Malpas at home to Oakmere and Alvanley at Weaverham in Division One, while in the Shammah Nicholls Cheshire Alliance, Chester CO start at Castrol Tessuti.