Marple 120 for 3 (38.1 overs) 25 points beat Oxton 116
all out (43.4 overs) 1 point by seven wickets.
Win number seven of the 2014 season was the most welcome
of all, as it pretty much ensured premier league cricket for Marple in 2015.
Mark Bennett won a crucial toss, and his opening attack
of Matt Whittaker and Paul Wood did him proud. Wood, opening up in place of the
injured Wylie, was in particularly determined mood. He soon had the important
wickets of Cashin and Worcestershire man Choudhry. With Whittaker his usual
accurate self, struggling Oxton could make no headway. However, from the depths
of 24 for 6, Gayon Fernando (45) and James O'Neill (26) added 70 precious runs
for the seventh wicket. Marple's batting in the second half of this season has
been of the Jekyll and Hyde variety, so the visitors would have been glad to
post a score of 116 all out, despite leaving eleven and a bit overs unused. For
Marple, Wood was excellent with 3 for 18 from ten overs. He was well supported
by Whittaker with 2 for 23 from 13, and Andy Greasley, back amongst the
wickets, with 2 for 11 from 11 miserly overs. Jake Warner also boosted his
confidence with two run outs, whilst stand in keeper James Morgan had two good
catches behind the stumps.
The home batting performance was in reverse to the
previous week at Bramhall. Openers, Morgan and Crisall fell early, with the reliable
Fernando on the mark as usual. Alex Money did a useful job in support, and the
pressure was on Marple. Skipper Bennett wisely kept himself and Wood in reserve
today, knowing that his batting line up was inexperienced with Andrew Hall and
Mark Makin absent.
Jake Warner and Andy Mummery both grasped the situation
though, which was the most pleasing aspect for Marple. The early jitters of 14
for 2 were gradually replaced with relief as 31 runs were added, the ball
gradually losing its hardness. Mummery fell lbw to Fernando at 45 for 3, but
unfortunately for lowly Oxton, this only brought a determined Mark Bennett to
the crease. The Marple skipper, buoyed by the fielding performance and Warner's
resolve, gradually took command. The two former Loughborough men shared in the
most important stand of the season for Marple. Adding an unbroken 75 for the
third wicket, they took Marple to victory, with a possible 28 overs remaining.
Warner, in his best knock for the club ended 50 not out, and Bennett 47 not out.
This was an excellent win for Marple against a
revitalised Oxton. The defeat however, leaves the visitors in serious
relegation trouble. Next week, Marple visit the other Wirral club Neston, in
what is always an eagerly awaited fixture. Marple are up to fifth in the
premier league.
Marple seconds were defeated by five wickets at
Macclesfield on Saturday. Although Mark Nicholson, skipper Andy Wild and Joe
Yates all reached the thirties, a score of 140 was never enough. George Clarke,
with three wickets toiled hard for Marple, but the home side gained a
comfortable victory. In Wild's defence, his side has been decimated with cry
offs in recent weeks, and there has been no chance of any continuity
whatsoever. The twos are in the bottom half of the table, but there are no
worries regarding relegation.
Marple thirds put up the club's highest total of the
season at Bowden Lane on Sunday with a massive 254 for 8, Will Darby 98 not
out, and Andy Massey 86. However, Toft romped home by nine wickets in a batting
exhibition from their young players. 255 for 1 was superb reply by the
visitors, showing the club's faith in budding talent to be yielding success.
Rick Major deserves every accolade for leading his fourth
team to the Cheshire Sunday East Division Two title and promotion. Inevitably,
the fourths have had a large turnover of players, but Major has given players a
game and created a mixture of competitiveness and enjoyment of the game for its
own sake. Players, young and not so young, have all contributed to a first
class season. Bravo everyone involved!
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