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.