Wood and Morgan Fire up Marple!

Marple 197 for 3 (47.2 overs) 25 points beat Upton 196 for 5 (50 overs) 7 points by 7 wickets

At the tea break of this game, it was difficult to know who was the happier of the two sides. Wirral club Upton’s innings had progressed nicely, but maybe they were twenty runs short of a par score on what was an excellent home pitch. Marple, on the other hand, had kept the opposition to a manageable total, but had not really dominated proceedings.

With temperatures about 15 degrees cooler than the previous week, Marple captain Paul Wood opted to insert the opposition at Bowden Lane last Saturday. His decision was rewarded when Ed Saxelby picked up both openers, Matt Owen, brilliantly caught one handed by keeper Morgan, and the dangerous Stowell- Smith lbw for a promising 25. Marple were though unable to fully capitalise on this good start, as the Upton middle order of McArthur, Dan Owen and the experienced Neil Cross played sensibly. It was Cross, (58) who was the most dominant of the three after he came in at 92 for 3, McArthur being well held by Morahan off Greasley for 33. Cross and Owen (50) added 74 for the fourth wicket without fully getting away. Cross did hit three huge sixes, but did not inspire the other batsmen to aggression. Owen’s half century occupied 108 deliveries, despite some pleasing drives.  A final total of 196 for 5 represented neither feast nor famine. Greasley was in miserly mood, picking up 1 for 21 in his 15 overs. Morahan also picked up the late wickets of Owen and Cross, well caught by Crisall off a skier.

In Marple’s reply, Crisall and Makin were in watchful mood, but neither player appeared unduly troubled by the useful opening attack of Ingram and Sundue. However, things changed dramatically after Crisall (14) edged a good one from Ingram to keeper Marsland at 32 for 1. Makin, who was again looking in ominous form was adjudged lbw to first change Maguire for 28 at 45 for 2. Andrew Hall, also fell lbw, once more to a slow left arm bowler, Williams, for just 3 and Marple were in a hole at 45 for 3.

Maybe the visitors’ total of 196 was a good one after all? Williams settled into an accurate spell against Wood and Morgan. Maguire, although bowling some excellent deliveries, did help relieve the pressure on the batsmen with the occasional loose one. Paul Wood has such a presence at the crease this season, born of confidence in his technique against all types of bowlers, and the fact that he has a game plan and cool head to put it into operation. Of the two, it was Morgan who fretted at times, but as he increasingly found the middle of the bat, he began to play some glorious strokes all round the wicket. This period produced by far the best cricket of the afternoon. The bowling was good, but Marple’s fourth wicket pair was more than up to the task.  Upton’s decision to introduce Cross into the attack though did not pay dividends and his seven overs cost 39 runs and three lost balls as both players deposited him out of the ground!

After the 100 partnership was raised, the batsmen looking rock solid by now, Upton heads began to drop a little although they never threw in the towel. A good crowd cheered some searing boundaries from both players as the winning line came into sight. Fittingly, on his birthday, it was captain Wood who cut the winning 4 with almost three overs remaining. His stand with Morgan was worth 152 runs undefeated.  Both players hit ten fours apiece, and also Wood smote two sixes and Morgan one. Morgan ended 77 not out, and Wood 73 not out. This was the Marple captain’s eighth half century in eight innings this season, and sees him past 500 league runs, a remarkable sequence. Morgan’s powerful driving also drew audible gasps from spectators as the ball scorched the turf.

Match ball sponsor was former Marple and Cheshire wicket keeper Tom Hodson.

Marple are now in fifth place in what has become a very tight league. There is still very little between the top six clubs, but at the other end of the table, two or three sides are already looking in trouble. Next Saturday sees Marple visit old rivals Macclesfield with a 1.00pm start.

In a seesaw game at Upton, Marple seconds ended up on slightly the worse side of an entertaining drawn game. Two uneven scorecards saw the home team post 171 for 9 after being 21 for 4 and 61 for 6, Newhouse, 34, Williams, 39, and Livingstone 51. Jack Grundy was the pick of the Marple bowlers with 3 for 40. Marsland, Clarke and Bass had two apiece.

In the reply, Marple got away to a good start, with Will Darby 18, Mark Nicholson, 40, and Andy Wild 33 leading the way. The middle order collapsed though, and it was left to skipper Clarke and Tom Travis, 16 not out, to save the day, Marple closing on 142 for 7.

On Sunday, Marple thirds got back to winning ways with a nine wicket thrashing of neighbours Bramhall. The visitors struggled to 132 for 9, with Jacob Combey 3 for 29, Mike Smith 2 for 31 and Ryan Ellis 2 for 16. Despite being 1 for 1, Marple, led by stand in skipper, the inform David Brook (70 not out) and Jonny Arrowsmith (49 not out) cantered home to a welcome victory.