Marple 184 for 6 (50.5 overs)
25 points beat Alderley Edge 183 all out (54.2 overs) 6 points by four wickets.
Marple produced arguably their
best all round performance of the season to defeat a talented Alderley Edge
side at Moss Lane last Saturday. Although other results in the league were not
favourable, Marple still have a chance of survival in the Cheshire County
Premier League going into next week’s final home game against Toft.
Once more, Mark Bennett won a
crucial toss, and invited the home team to bat first on a fine early September
afternoon. Alderley’s opening pair of
Calum Rowe and Alan Day have been two of the form batsmen in the league this
season, and have also done the job of opening for Cheshire. Today, Day looked
to be more at ease, as Rowe struggled with his timing against Sam Harbinson and
Chris Wood, who did an excellent job for Marple in his first bowl for several
weeks. The ball was not coming onto the bat, and also the outfield was not as
quick as usual due to persistent rain during the week leading up to the
game. Rowe and Day were not as fluent as
they have often been this season, and although posting a half century stand,
Marple had a measure of control. Rowe (16) fell to a fine catch at short mid on
by Paul Wood off his brother Chris’s bowling at 52 for 1, and then Day (36)
mistimed a drive off the same bowler, to Pearson at 65 for 2. Scott (2) was
soon lbw to Harbinson, and when the league’s leading allrounder this season
Richard Wilkinson (13) was well caught at gully, also off Harbinson by Makin,
Alderley were in some trouble at 73 for 4. Foreman fell at 88, but the home
team’s batting is deep, with former Lancashire opener Mark Currie at number
seven and skipper Worrall at eight.
Charlie Reid chipped in with 27, the dangerous Currie 24 and Worrall 30.
Many sides would have folded for less than the final score of 183, but Marple
were pretty happy at tea. Harbinson produced his best bowling of the summer to
finish with 3 for 60 from 20 overs, and Chris Wood gave his captain control
with 2 for 41 from 15. The spinners, Greasley and Young appeared later than has
been the norm, but both performed well. Greasley polished off the tail with 3
for 40, and Young picked up two vital wickets again in Reid and Currie. He
ended with 2 for 38.
A total of 183 was around about
par, but Marple, once again led by Andrew Hall, showed first rate application.
After hitting Wilkinson for a couple of sweet early boundaries, Morgan played
across a delivery from the same bowler and was lbw at 13 for 1. Sam Harbinson
though, showed great concentration when joining Hall for the decisive
partnership of the game. Despite having bowled twenty overs at good pace,
Harbinson knuckled down to the task ahead. Hall, after realising that the
bowling and the pitch needed respect, took root. This was not the effortless
Hall of the week before, the conditions did not allow it. He was content to
wait for the bad ball and rotate the strike with Harbinson. The early threat of
Wilkinson was nullified, and when Sturrock came on first change, his left arm
chinamen proved inconsistent, allowing both players scoring options. Home
skipper Worrall curiously delayed the introduction of Foreman and Reid,
preferring Day’s off spin. The second wicket partnership added 95 precious
runs, before Foreman had Harbinson caught behind for another fine knock of 48.
In order to accommodate Reid, Worrall switched Foreman round, but Hall
memorably hooked him for six into the pavilion. Skipper Bennett (2) did not
last long, but Mark Makin coming in at 115 for 3, was positive from the outset.
With Hall looking as though he would once again see Marple through to victory,
the fourth wicket added 48 in good time. Maybe Hall was fatigued, but he fell
caught behind to Forman for a terrific 70 at 163 for 4. Hall hit only four
fours and one six, but had the measure of all the home bowlers, once more
showing his class in this vintage season for Cheshire’s former skipper.
Although Reid accounted for
Young and Paul Wood, Makin did not allow Wilkinson to settle when he returned.
His 38 not out was chanceless, with five fours and contained some excellent
running between the wickets. Coming in
at 181 for 6, Joe Cash deftly cut Reid for three to bring up a fine win for
Marple to make it three on the trot for the Bowden Lane outfit.
The final game of the season
sees Marple entertain Toft next Saturday with a 12.00 noon start.
Marple seconds were defeated by
83 runs at home to Alderley seconds. Led by Adam Wildig with 65, the visitors
posted a challenging 198 all out, the wickets being shared amongst Hayes four,
Shelton and skipper Clarke three apiece. Marple never threatened a win, despite
a number of players getting starts, and were bowled out for only 115.
There was an end of season feel
as the thirds were beaten at home to Hyde thirds on Sunday. No batsmen
dominated in the home side’s 135 all out. Despite slumping to 81 for 4, Hyde
rallied to ease to victory by five wickets with overs to spare. Ed Saxelby
impressed for Marple with his promising quick bowling.
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