Didsbury welcomed opponents Marple to Mere for the first game of the second half of the season. Having beaten Bramhall in a bizarre match, the 2As were placed in a strong position to go one better than last season.

Marple rocked up with a weakened side to the one that beat Dids in Game Week 1 back in April. The 2As were strong, and further bolstered by Jacob Mills, who was making his 2As and Mere CG debut. New Didsbury branded stumps were also making their debut.

The pre-game football showed me quite a few things. Will can actually play, Archie can’t hit a barn door no matter how many times he tries, Brady is actually left-footed and Baseem would quite literally put his body on the line, having injured himself in the warm up and decided to just lay across the goal line instead.

Rehmani lost the toss and Dids were batting first. For once, we were playing on the designated pitch for Saturday and it looked okay for Mere standards. The outfield was growing daisies and looked longer than last week, so perhaps another low-scoring match in stall?

I poked at a wide one for no reason to kick things off. It was the type of shot that you’re thankful that Mere doesn’t have a livestream to watch back. Brady, having moaned all warm-up about batting first, looked in imperious form, playing trademark drives and even going aerial a few times. He raced into the 40s without playing a shot in aggression, and was supported by Elder (20) in a 67-run partnership before Arch chipped it to point.

Dids were going at 5s but the wicket of Goldstone, and then Mills and Brady in quick succession stemmed the rate. Mills played well for his 26 on debut and was dismissed trying to up the ante. When Neal (16) was removed, the 2As were on 167-6 and the innings was in the balance. At this stage, we had thought we had enough but there was still 10-15 overs to play, so 200+ was the aim.

After a slow start (for them), Rehmani and Sunil went about their work well, rotating the strike and getting rid of bad balls. Sunil, who scored 60 against Marple in the reverse fixture, had a measured start to his innings, while Rehmani found the boundary at ease. As the score passed 200, Sunil opened up and quickly moved into the 40s. I bizarre thing happened afterwards. Reh called out to the team at the clubhouse, while batting in the middle, to ask what Sunil was on (it was 40* at the time). We obviously didn’t shout out and told him to keep batting. Sunil, unfortunately, perished shortly afterwards for a well-made 47 and a fantastic 79 partnership with the skipper.

Baseem opted for the ramp first ball, which 100% wasn’t pre-meditated and definitely the shot to play. The Marple bowler didn’t get the memo and chucked it down leg-side. With Reh in the 40s and a few overs left to play, he wanted the strike, but unfortunately ran out of partners and balls to face. He ended 43* and got Dids past the 250 mark for the first time at Mere this season. A great knock and I’m sure one we will all be hearing about for a few weeks.

The 2As felt confident at the halfway point. 250 was well above par and we had a seriously strong bowling attack. For the first time in a while, we had three front-line seamers (sorry Sunil), while OG and Bash bowl 26 overs for not a lot most weeks.

But it was the Will Neal show. Following up his 3-16 off 13 overs against Bramhall last week, the Doc ripped apart Marple’s top order with his best spell in a Dids shirt. Who quickly removed the League’s top run-scorer, Barrow, who gloved it to Archie in the slips. He removed the next two batters without troubling the scorers, one with a bouncer caught by OG at point, and another caught behind by Brady. The game was done at this point. Rehmani, who lost his place at the summit of Div 1 wicket-takers last week for going on holiday, followed up Neal with two wickets of his own, one of which was a caught and bowled where he very nearly crashed into the new stumps.

Marple were 24-5 and Dids were hopeful for an early finish. A fired-up Neal continued his work, removing Braddock, the only player in the top eight to pass double-figures and he had a blatant LBW appeal turned down for his 5-fer. It took him one more over to get his fifth, fully deserved, and a class above. A great opening spell, but you couldn’t tell if you looked at Will. Absolutely spewing for initially missing out on five with that LBW appeal. You love to see it. Aaron Grimbaldeston followed Rehmani and quickly removed Skeleton, who was superbly caught at cover by OG. The lofted drive was hit powerfully, and you could tell it doesn’t happen often as the batter then launched his bat, helmet and gloves when leaving the field (bit OTT with the score 43-8..). This was actually the second bat through in as many wickets. Clearly some of the Marple lads had backed themselves for a double-hundred. Fair play.

The subsequent 10 overs were frustrating. Dids were looking forward to an early finish, but two Marple youngsters, Bailey (25) and Tanker (26), had other ideas. They capitalised on attacking fields but batted very well for their scores. Bash eventually removed the former, getting his name on the scoresheet. Neal was brought back on to pick up the final wicket. The Marple skipper chipped the ball to Rob at Point, nicely done in front of his missus and dad, who were also enjoying their Mere debut.

All in all, there was a huge gulf between the two sides. Dids had a strong 11 out, while Marple had 3/4 recognisable players in their side this week. Regardless, it was a commanding victory by 153 runs. Due to other scores in the division, the 2As climbed to third, and just 11 points behind Maritime who lost to Bramhall. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer bunch of blokes..

The 2As travel to Bowden next week, who lost to Grappenhall this weekend (their first win of the season), and in a bid to avenge their defeat earlier in the season.

Pictures for the report

Caption: Rehmani and Aaron walk off for the end of the Didsbury innings.

Caption: Rehmani’s brand-new spikes lasted 10 yards (from the car to the clubhouse) before losing his first spike. Must be a record.

Caption: New Didsbury stumps in action.

PS: Match report from Tom Beresford.