TIMPERLEY were winners at home to Marple at an overcast Stockport Road, extending their lead at the top of the Cheshire County League Premier Division to 20 points.

Timperley won the toss and bowled, and new-ball duties were handed to Cheshire youngster Ed Galley to partner Jack White. After two early wickets, they made short work of the top order, reducing Marple to 99-6.

There was no let-up as ruthless Timperley had the visitors struggling at 109-9, and Galley with six wickets to his name, though it was White claiming the final wicket as Marple closed on 114.

Timperley’s top order, excellent in recent weeks, limped to 36-3, as Jack Grundy claimed the big three wickets of Hodnett, Shafiq and Guest cheaply.

Abhishek Kulkarni steadied the ship with a watchful 27, and his 46-run partnership with Nathan Olivier (22) took the game away from Marple at 84-4.

There was a minor wobble with the loss of two quick wickets, but captain Nathan Brown (20 not out) and man of the moment Galley (7no), steered Timperley home with no further alarm.

Another 25 points maintain Timperley’s unbeaten record this season, and see them remain 20 points clear at the top of the league.

Next week sees an away trip to third bottom Bramhall CC, with Timperley travelling with high hopes of another 25-point haul.