Chester Boughton Hall 124 for 3
(24.3 overs) 25 points beat Marple 123 for 9 (40 overs) 5 points by 7 wickets.
A terrific spell of quick bowling from Queenslander Joshua Henderson
propelled Chester to victory at Bowden Lane last Saturday.
That curse of Saturday mornings
at Marple this season, rain, once again interfered with a first team game.
Persistent drizzle was still falling at the scheduled start time of 12.00 noon,
but with use of the rope to remove surface water from the outfield, and the
rain relenting, a game of 40 overs per side was agreed, beginning at 1.45 pm.
Mark Bennett has lost more tosses than he has won this year, and sure enough,
in helpful bowling conditions, he lost another one here. In what seemed no time
at all, Marple were 20 for 4, all the wickets falling to Henderson. This
powerfully built fast bowler has been the most potent threat in the league this
season. In the earlier game between the two sides at Chester in dry late June,
he tested the batsmen’s mettle with some short stuff. On this slower pitch he
was still quick enough through the air, but bowled to a fuller length with
great success. Andrew Hall was caught at cover, Makin was bowled, Morgan caught
at slip and Mummery castled middle stump by a full delivery. At the other end,
Jordan Clark bowled in support of Henderson, but with less attacking threat.
The Lancashire T20 man had to be watched, but rarely threatened the stumps.
A recovery of sorts was begun by
Bennett and Wood. With the ball losing some of its hardness, and also becoming
damp, they batted with composure, Bennett superbly pulling Clark for successive
boundaries. They added 28 before Henderson eventually got one through Wood’s
(15) defences. Jimmy Ormond was lbw next ball, and Henderson was probably eying
up all ten wickets! However, Matt Whittaker prevented the hat trick, and in
company with his skipper produced the home side’s best batting. The opening
bowlers were eventually rested, and although the young spinners Williams and
Killoran landed the ball well, there was little spin for either in these
conditions. Thirty-seven runs were added, and a good recovery seemed possible.
Bennett though, after making 38 excellent runs, flashed hard at change bowler
Goodwin and was caught behind by Rowlands. It looked like curtains for Marple.
However, the determined Whittaker was now well supported by Chris Barlow.
Marple’s own Aussie saw to it that the full 40 overs were used, and also gave
the home side something to bowl at. He struck Henderson for several boundaries
when he returned for a second spell, and 34 useful runs were added for the
eighth wicket. A well deserved half century eluded him as he lost the strike in
the final over. Whittaker ended 49 not out in Marple’s 123 for 9 at the
interval. Henderson had 7 for 50 from 14 high class overs, spoiled slightly by
Whittaker at the end.
Faced with having to defend a
modest score against such a talented line up, Marple needed a fast start.
However, two chances went down before Chester had reached double figures.
Rowlands was dropped at slip by Greasley at slip off Whittaker, the ball
travelling at a fairly comfortable height. Then in Wylie’s next over, the same
batsman was dropped from a skier at mid off. Barlow seemed to have the ball,
but then it fell from his grasp. These let offs seemed to take the edge of
Marple’s effort in the field, and both Rowlands and Goodwin found the boundary
with some regularity. This lethargy was still apparent even after three
excellent catches that reduced Chester to 72 for 3 with two new batsmen in.
Firstly Morgan took a stunner, inches from the turf to remove Rowlands (22),
and Mark Makin safely pouched a steepler to dismiss the classy Goodwin (31) off
Wood. Then Greasley had Jordan Clark (29), also caught from another skier by
Barlow. This, after Clark had harshly dealt with the Marple offer, smiting four
fours and a huge six over the pavilion. Without further addition to the score
of 72, Law was dropped at mid on by Whittaker from a firmly struck drive off
Wood who was proving a handful for the batsmen. Marple just didn’t seem to
believe a miracle was possible. After a number of alarms, Law (21 not out) and
Ross Dixon (13 not out) took Chester to victory in the 25th over.
Chester are a formidable side,
but in order for them to win the league this season, they will have to hope
that Marple can produce a much better performance and defeat leaders Hyde at
Werneth Low in the final game of the season next Saturday. Chester, who added
the Cheshire Cup to their collection on Sunday with a ten wicket demolition of
newly promoted Macclesfield, are at home to already relegated Oxton.
Marple seconds chased leather
at Filkins Lane Chester on Saturday. The home side rattled up 258 for 7 in the
50 overs. A dispirited Marple side were routed for only 90 in reply.
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