Lower Order Battles to Draw Against League Leaders

Hyde 177 all out (51.4 overs) 11 points drew with Marple 156 for 9 (58 overs) 6 points 

A determined effort from Marple’s lower order, particularly Andy Mummery and Matt Whittaker, helped Marple to a draw against Hyde at Bowden Lane on Saturday. This, after they had been in trouble at 92 for 7. 

On a cool, overcast late June afternoon, Hyde skipper Berry elected to bat first on winning the toss. Marple got off to an excellent start with Berry run out for 2 and then Andy Wylie having Tipper lbw for a duck soon afterwards. Cheshire skipper James Duffy never really settled, and played a number of extravagant shots possibly trying to remove the threatening Wylie from the attack. Duffy reached 22, but then was brilliantly caught at slip by his county predecessor Andrew Hall off the excellent Wylie, the score at 56 for 3. Hyde relied for their runs today on the two stalwarts, Brierley and Fitzsimmons. Both players showed their experience, and mixed defence with good running. They also put away the loose deliveries to the boundary when the opportunity arose. Brierley was strong through the off side, and Fitzsimmons swept with exquisite timing. He was quite severe on Eliot Young, who had replaced Whittaker at the bottom end.  Young did not bowl badly, but he was up against a very canny player. 

It is difficult to praise Andy Greasley too much for his bowling at present. The veteran spinner, once of Leicestershire and then Cheshire can have no peers in the art of off spin bowling within the league this season.  He seems to have the ball on a string, and his control and variation caused all the Hyde batsmen problems. Brierley was deceived in flight and stumped by Makin soon after reaching a fine half century.  Danny Williams did not give Greasley sufficient respect, and was comprehensively bowled for one.  At 121 for 5, Hyde were unravelling. However, Jason Whittaker is a player choc full of skill and experience, and he batted carefully against Greasley. Fitzsimmons completed a fine fifty, but was then well caught by Bennett off Matt Whittaker attempting an untypical drive. Hyde’s Whittaker and Fitton battled to take the score to 170, before Greasley and the returning Wylie wrapped the innings up for 177 in the 52^nd over. Greasley had 4 for 35 from 15.4 overs, and Wylie 4 for 43.

So, Marple had 58 overs to reach their target. After getting off the mark with a sumptuous on drive from Hanna, Mark Makin was caught behind from the first ball he received from Jason Whittaker. However, Andrew Hall, in particular, and James Morgan both looked in good touch. Hall drove both bowlers through the covers, and Morgan hooked the skiddy Hanna. Disaster struck for Marple at 35, when first, Morgan (10) and then Hall (20) were both caught at mid on by Fitton in trying to hit the ball over the top. Hyde sensed their chance, and piled the pressure on Bennett and Wood. There were precious few scoring opportunities, as the bowlers found an excellent line and length. Bennett looked solid though and eventually took Whittaker for two boundaries in an over. Wood (5) fell lbw to Whittaker, and then after digging in for a while, Jonny Marshall (3) tamely chipped Hanna to Fitzsimmons at mid wicket.  Bennett played a fine exemplary knock, memorably hooking Hanna into the pavilion for six. This in an over when the Aussie delivered five consecutive bouncers. Sadly for Marple, his concentration deserted him when he guided Whittaker to Duffy at slip to be caught for 36. Young (4) also fell in the slips and Marple were 92 for 7 and looking at a second successive league defeat. Andy Mummery showed excellent application though, and with Matt Whittaker once more putting a high price on his wicket, a determined rear guard action began. Mummery waited patiently for the rare bad deliveries which he put away in style, and the pair added 49 for the eighth wicket.  With 36 required form six overs, an unlikely victory looked a possibility. However, Hanna returned for a second spell, and concentrated on bowling off cutters. A beauty deceived Mummery to bowl him for a valiant 34. Skipper Berry had Greasley caught at short leg, but Whittaker, with a gritty 28 not out saw Marple to safety at 156 for 9. Jason Whittaker had 4 for 55 and Hanna 4 for 72 from a marathon 27 overs. 

Marple had a chance to defeat the league leaders, but crucial errors, and the accuracy of Hyde’s opening bowlers meant they had to settle for the draw, dropping to fourth in the league. Next Saturday, they are once more at home, entertaining Grappenhall, as the second half of the season begins, 12.30 pm start. 

A short boundary hampered Marple second team’s attempt to defend a solid score of 216 for 9 at Werneth Low. The highlight for Marple was a magnificent knock of 109 not out from George Pearson. Pearson has taken his chance well at the top of the order, and was well supported by Joe Cash who made 38 as the pair added over 80 for the sixth wicket. Hyde managed to keep wickets in hand, and although Marple kept them waiting until the final over, victory came by the margin of 6 wickets. 

A below par batting display from the third team contributed to a comprehensive defeat at home to Cheadle thirds on Sunday. From 3 for 3, Andy Massey with 50 and James with 40 rescued things somewhat, and a total of 138 all out was reached. Cheadle though  ran out comfortable winners by six wickets.

 Marple fourth put up an excellent display at Hale Barns. Mike Smith with five wickets was the bowling hero as Barns were dismissed for 165. After a shaky start, Marple were steered to a tight two victory by Tom Reeve with 38 not out.

Marple Steamrollered!

Chester Boughton Hall 280 for 6 dec (51.2 overs) 25 points beat Marple 79 all out (23.4 overs) 2 points 

The juggernaut that is Chester Boughton Hall has stuttered at times in the first half of this season, but on Saturday Marple were flattened in its path at Filkins Lane Chester.

Marple captain Mark Bennett has not won many tosses this season, and yet again he called incorrectly as his opposite number Lee Dixon had no hesitation in batting first on a fine, warm late June afternoon. The pitch was the same one used in Cheshire’s recent minor counties knockout victory, and it appeared to be very dry. Chester openers Rowlands and Goodwin both looked in ominous form. It was the former, however, who outshone his more illustrious partner on this occasion. Possibly Goodwin was not 100 per cent fit, as he was content to knock the ball around and give Rowlands the strike. It was not that Marple’s opening bowlers, Whittaker and Wood today, bowled that badly, more that Rowlands, didn’t seem to need to play himself in. Anything fractionally off line or length was despatched to the fence off front and back foot. It was a perfect start for Chester. 

Even though Greasley replaced Wood, and began an excellent spell, the run rate barely faltered.  Rowlands continued on his merry way, whilst respecting Marple’s canny off spinner. It was Greasley who eventually had both batsmen stumped by keeper Makin with clever deception. First it was Goodwin for 44 the score at 134, then Rowlands for a terrific 93 at 157 for 2. With Whittaker bowling better in his second spell, there was an element of control for the fielding side. Lee Dixon was bowled by Whittaker, and then his brother Ross fell in similar fashion to Greasley. When Ogilby was well caught and bowled by Greasley at 205 for 5, Marple may have felt they were back in the game.

This hope was soon dashed in no uncertain terms! Lancashire’s Jordan Clark had batted circumspectly at the start of his innings, being content to take the runs on offer. However, his partner, batting at number seven, Ollie Law seemed to inspire him. Law launched three huge sixes, and then Clark got in on the act with four of his own. The last overs of the Chester innings proved to be carnage for Marple, with even the good deliveries being smashed to the boundary. Dixon eventually called a halt at 280 for 6 when Clark was caught at long on for a responsible and ultimately hard hit 75. Law had a rapid 38 not out. For Marple, Greasley bowled superbly, having little luck and his figures of 4 for 82 were only spoiled in his final couple of overs. 

On the resumption, skipper Bennett sent in Andrew Hall to open with Makin, Chester certainly having a potent opening attack. Queenslander, Joshua Henderson is probably the quickest bowler in the league this season, and Clark is no slouch either. Henderson in particular tested both openers, the ball whistling through to keeper Rowlands stood twenty or more yards back. He had his wicket when Hall appeared to glove the ball to the keeper with the score at 17 for 1. Leg spinner, Jack Williams soon replaced Clark, and embarked on a high class spell. James Morgan was battling hard against Henderson, and took him for 10 in an over, bravely hooking the paceman.  However, with Williams right on the spot and spinning the ball away from the right handers, Marple were soon in trouble. Makin edged to slip, and then Bennett was freakishly run out when Morgan straight drove Williams only for the bowler to divert the ball onto the stumps as Bennett was backing up. Morgan’s innings of promise ended when he top edged Williams and was caught by Killoran. The rest of the innings was a sad procession, as Williams weaved his magic. Clark replaced Henderson to pick up Marshall and Whittaker, but Williams was not to be denied, finishing with 6 for 15 from only 8.4 overs. Marple were humbled for 79 in only 23.4 overs.

This was a chastening experience for Marple, who drop to third in the league. Next Saturday sees the visit of league leaders Hyde to Bowden Lane, 12.30pm start. Marple will need to show some reaction, and will have hope, as Hyde lost their unbeaten record at home to dark horses Urmston on Saturday. Chester looked a formidable side in moving up to second place, and will take some stopping in the second half of the season. Their win was marred only by some overzealous appealing, sometimes continuing with a second shout after the umpire had made his decision. 

There were plenty of runs in the second team fixture between the two clubs at Bowden Lane on Saturday. Chester batted first and amassed 241 for 6 in their 50 overs. Marple battled back to put a brake on the scoring later on as Andy Hayes took four late wickets. Marple replied brightly, with George Pearson supporting James Crisall well in an opening stand of 75. Pearson fell for 25, but Crisall played a fine innings of 85. It was his dismissal that took the sting out of the response.  Ryan Lindsay (34) continued the chase, but struggled with his timing. When he was dismissed, Joe Yates and Will Sugden played some pleasing strokes to leave Marple on 215 for 6 and a draw. 

On a bad weekend for the Marple teams, the third eleven were trounced by ten wickets at Toft on Sunday.  Openers Mark Nicholson and James Hirst added over 73 for the first wicket in only ten overs, but only David Brook with 26 was able to support them.  From 111 for 4, a total of 128 all out was not what the doctor ordered. Toft cruised to victory with twenty overs remaining.

In Marple fourth team’s friendly fixture with Heaton Mersey at Bowden Lane on Sunday, Tom Travis continued his good form with 50 in Marple’s 197. Mersey were 160 for 7, but eventually got home without further loss to win by three wickets.

Marple too Strong for Lowly Neston

Marple 95 for 3 (23.5 overs) 25 points beat Neston 92 all out (45.5 over’s) 1 point by 7 wickets

Neston skipper David Hurst probably surprised his opposite number Mark Bennett by electing to bat after winning the toss at Bowden Lane last Saturday. Once again, wet weather had made preparation for the game tricky, and rain was in the area on commencement of the game. Matt Whittaker and Andy Wylie have been a handful for pretty well every side this season, and today proved no exception. Mark Makin took another stunning catch behind the stumps to account for Hurst for a duck off Wylie.

Then, in the next over, Wales Minor County player Will Evans aimed an expansive drive at Whittaker and was bowled for 8. A further wicket each for the openers came when Williams was safely caught by Bennett, and Murphy was lbw after shouldering arms to a straight one from Wylie. Luke Camden watched in horror as two further wickets fell to Greasley to leave Neston in the mire on 24 for 6. There was some sort of revival as Hawley rode his luck in joining the responsible Camden to add 56 runs for the seventh wicket. Eliot Young replaced Whittaker, and once again settled well. He eventually had the battling Camden brilliantly caught at slip by Greasley for 37. Then, in his next over, Hawley (23) drilled the ball to mid wicket, where Morgan safely pouched the catch. Greasley had numbers 10 and 11 lbw soon afterwards, and Neston were sent packing for only 92.

Although fluent stroke play proved difficult, this was a poor batting display from the visitors, well as Marple bowled on the day. Greasley had 4 for 22 from 15.5 overs, Wylie had 2 for 7, Young 2 for 17 and Whittaker 2 for 43. The fielding and catching was of a high order, with everything being caught, and Bennett keeping a check on the batsmen with his field placing.

After the interval Hurst opted to open up with his two experienced bowlers, veteran seamer Finnegan, and slow left armer Stimson. Not for the first time this season, Mark Makin took a liking to the slow left arm attack, and Stimson was replaced by Hurst after being despatched for 17 runs in his first two overs.  Finnegan had the fluent Makin lbw for 20, and then Marshall chipped Hurst to mid on to leave Marple  42 for 2. James Morgan (9) had once again looked to be settling in well when he charged down the pitch to Stewart, who had replaced Finnegan, and was well stumped by Evans. 44 for 3 was the high point of the afternoon for the visitors. Mark Bennett, in determined mood this season, was then joined by Paul Wood. The fourth wicket pair mixed good sense with excellent running, and also put the rare bad deliveries to the boundary. Bennett was 22 not out and Wood 27 not out when the winning runs were hit. Marple closed on 95 for 3 in the 24^th over. 

They move up to second place in the Cheshire County Premier League, and visit champions Chester Boughton Hall next Saturday, 12.30pm start.

A lacklustre performance saw Marple exit from the Cheshire Cup at Toft on Sunday. Only Mark Bennett with a fine 77 not out, stayed for any length of time as Marple reached 173 for 8 in a game reduced to 40 overs per side. Tim Radford, batting at nine, gave Bennett useful support in adding 46 for the eighth wicket to give the visitors something to bowl at. Toft openers, Drummond and Hancock, however, added 147 for the first wicket, as the home team romped to victory by 8 wickets.

Marple seconds were soundly beaten by 8 wickets at Neston’s Parkgate ground on the Wirral on Saturday.  Andy Bell rescued the innings with a gritty knock of 51 not out coming in at number 8 as Marple eventually reached 148 all out after the full 50 overs. For Neston, Gill was severe on all the Marple bowlers, hitting a forceful 88, before falling to George Clarke. A comfortable home victory was brought up in the 34^th over.

There were two sensational performances in Marple’s Sunday teams. At Nantwich, Mark Nicholson hit a breathtaking 120 in Marple’s 247 for 5 in only 40 overs. Skipper James Hirst sensibly declared early, and this was to pay dividends as Nantwich were bowled out for 185 to give the visitors victory by 62 runs. Chris Barlow had 4 for 38.

However, even Nicholson’s 120 had to take second place to a bowling spell of dreams by Jack Grundy in Marple fourth’s win by 7 wickets over Woodley thirds. Jack had 6 for 17 with his six wickets coming in the space of only 8 balls including the hat trick! Woodley were all out for 135. In Marple’s run chase, Tom Travis hit a fine 42 and Luke Greasley a rapid 42 not out.

Unstoppable Makin Sees off Valiant Oxton!

Marple 164 for 4 (34.5 overs) 25 points beat Oxton 160 for 5 (37 overs) by 6 wickets

A superb undefeated 102, following three victims behind the stumps, from Marple wicketkeeper batsman Mark Makin, guided the visitors to a fourth win of the season at Oxton last Saturday.

When Marple left for Wirral club Oxton on Saturday morning, there seemed little prospect of any cricket. Torrential rain had fallen during the morning, and with more forecast, the thought of any sort of meaningful game appeared fanciful.  However, although it was still raining at the scheduled start time of 12.30pm, the Oxton ground was in absolutely top class condition, with the pitch well covered, and the outfield looking better than on many first class grounds. The rain stopped around 1.30pm, and a game of 37 overs per side was agreed with a start time of 3.00pm.

Mark Bennett won the toss, and asked the home team to bat. With a reduced game in the offing, the home batsmen were in a hurry. Whittaker was warned for running on the pitch, and he resorted to a round the wicket attack. Maybe this, along with a dampish ball, slightly reduced his effectiveness on the day. Wylie was a threat though, and he repeatedly beat the outside edge of Hughes. De Brabander had been the more secure of the batsmen, but he was brilliantly caught by Makin off Wylie for 19 with the score at 30 for 1. Alex Money looked assured at number three, and he dominated the second wicket stand with Hughes. They added 42 runs.

Bennett introduced spin at both ends, with the off spin of Greasley, and the slow left arm of Young. Young settled well, and when Hughes called his partner for a suicidal second run, he calmly collected the ball from Morgan’s excellent throw to run out the dangerous Money. Soon afterwards, Young had his wicket when Hughes was well stumped by Makin. The remainder of the Oxton innings saw the rest of the top six reach double figures, with Zimbabwean, Queri (32 not out) and Fennah (26) adding 50 for the fifth wicket with some fluent strokeplay. 160 for 5 meant maximum batting points for Oxton, but it was difficult to say whether it was a par score or not. Greasley had two wickets, but they cost him 55 from 11 overs.

It looked to be a decent total when Oxton’s opening bowler Gayon Fernando first clean bowled Jonny Marshall for 3, and then in the same over had James Morgan caught behind for a duck. Marple on 10 for 2. Normally in these situations, the batsmen try and consolidate. However, Mark Makin is not batting according to any convention this season. Without taking undue risk, he decided that Fernando had to be removed from the attack. Sixteen runs were taken from his next two overs, and with skipper Bennett batting with good sense at the other end, the initial crisis passed. Queri did not prove to be a threat at the other end to Fernando, and Oxton captain Cashin opted for left arm spin at both ends in the shape of Worcestershire’s Choudry and Fennah.

Makin then had a short period when he appeared to lose control, being dropped at slip off Choudry, and then flirting a couple off the edge past the stumps. However, when Bennett (25) was caught from a thick edge at 84 that was caught by Queri, Makin took complete charge. Firstly with Wood (12) and the Andrew Hall (15 not out) he picked the moment to strike. Fennah was hoisted for a couple of huge sixes, and Choudry lost control of length and line under the onslaught. Wood and Hall were excellent in support, picking gaps in the field to collect singles in order that Makin could face the majority of the bowling. 

With only a few runs required, Hall unselfishly gave Makin the strike, so that he could bring up the winning runs with a swept boundary from Fennah, and also complete a magnificent century.

Makin’s innings included 14 fours and 2 sixes. It was noteworthy not only for the superb clean ball striking, but also the clear assessment of the match situation. He picked exactly the moments when to strike, and such is his confidence at present, he had the belief to execute all the strokes.

So, Marple are back on track on a day when only three premier league games were completed. They move up to third in the league, and face another Wirral side, Neston at Bowden Lane next Saturday, 12.00pm start.

Marple’s second team were not so lucky, as their game with Macclesfield was abandoned without a ball bowled. They remain in second place in the second eleven premier league.

Torrential rain ultimately put paid to Marple third’s game against Grappenhall at Bowden Lane on Sunday. Consistent bowling restricted the visitors to 132 for 9 in their 45 overs. However, with Marple on 75 for 3 after only 14 overs the heavens opened and no further play was possible. There had been some excellent strokeplay from James Travis, Andy Massey (35 not out) and Mark Nicholson for a healthy Sunday afternoon crowd to enjoy.

The fourths emerged comfortable winners by 8 wickets at Bollington, when a rapid run chase defied the weather.