Marple 144 all out (49.4 overs) 2 points lost to Toft 147 for 2 (19.4 overs) 25 points by eight wickets
On a stunningly beautiful late April afternoon, Marple followed their relatively recent habit of losing the first game of the season. This time, on returning to the Cheshire County League Premier Division, they came up against a very good and disciplined young Toft side. Whilst the scorecard does not totally convey what happened in the game, Marple ultimately suffered a comprehensive defeat against a side that threatened to win this division in 2017, before a late loss of form cost them a chance of the title.
The Marple ground looked superb after the belated spring finally managed to shake off the shackles of a harsh winter. Paul Wood, Marple skipper, elected to bat first on winning the toss, believing that his main strength lay in his top order. However, the Toft opening attack of Tom Forster, in particular, and James Scott was right on target from ball one. Mark Makin edged his second ball to keeper Sehmi for a duck, and Mark Bennett was comprehensively bowled for one by Scott at 6 for 2. Wood joined Andrew Hall, and they proceeded to stage a mini recovery, with Hall doing the bulk of the scoring. Hall oozed class, and was obviously relishing being back in top flight cricket. He stroked some sumptuous boundaries when the odd rare half volley came down, and was watchful in defence. He had to play carefully against Forster in particular who bowled an excellent spell, always probing around off stump just short of driving length.
Wood was just looking secure when an absolute beauty saw the Marple captain edge behind to Sehmi again. At 40 for 3, Marple were once more in a crisis. However, Jim Morgan looked rock solid in support of Hall. With the ball gradually losing its hardness, the batsmen took advantage of more frequent scoring opportunities. The bowling was never less than testing though, as Jackson replaced Scott and once more did not need any time before finding an awkward length. The pitch, although on the slow side, was firm and both batsmen were able to find the boundary during an excellent stand of 60 for the fourth wicket. After 28 overs, and the drinks interval, Marple had turned around a sticky start to be 100 for 3. Hall had reached a cultured 69 and Morgan was prospering on 24. The excellent Forster had been replaced by Lancashire’s Rob Jones with his leg spin, but neither player had allowed him to settle initially.
The old adage “drinks brings a wicket” was once more proven to be true. Sadly for Marple, there was a double whammy. First, Hall dragged a ball from Jackson onto his stumps, and then Morgan was deceived by Jones at the same score of 105. Toft were now firmly in charge. Mike Schofield, on his Marple debut, looked solid though in the face of extremely accurate bowling, and he was ably supported by Ed Saxelby who looked determined to get himself in. The runs dried up, but the sixth wicket pair battled away, both reaching double figures before Schofield misread Jones in trying to sweep and was lbw. Mudassar Phanchbaya also reached double figures, but Marple could only grind out a final total of 144 in the fiftieth over. Jones had 3 for 23 and Forster 2 for 36. Toft’s new skipper, slow left armer Jimmy Lomas cleaned up the tail with 3 for 4. Maybe this will be his role in 2018, after often bowling in excess of 25 overs per game in previous seasons!
With 60 overs to reach the target, this game was not likely to be a draw. However, after Marple’s attack of Dylan Moroney and Jack Grundy had at first been a little wayward, Grundy removed both openers to leave the visitors on 34 for 2.
Drummond was bowled, and Forster was brilliantly caught at slip by Wood. Marple then had a chance to really get back into the game. Rob Jones, fresh from scores of 90 and 100 during the week for Lancashire seconds, was surprised by the pace of Moroney. Firstly, he edged past first slip for four, and then was dropped by Wood at second slip, the ball flying high just above his head. Wood’s disappointment was evident as he knew he had missed a key chance. Jones was relatively subdued after this being once again dropped, but from a no ball! He did not actually receive much of the strike at this time. However, Sehmi settled into his innings immediately. The Kent second eleven and Loughborough wicket keeper batsman was untroubled, and he brutally despatched any wayward bowling to the fence. Boundaries flowed from his rapier like blade as all the bowlers suffered. From Marple’s point of view, the scoreboard rattled along at an alarming rate, and although Sehmi was put down in the deep off a sharp chance, the victory target was reached in quick time. Sehmi finished 67 not out, and Jones, flowing more towards the end, 37 not out.
So, a heavy defeat for Marple. However, the story was certainly not all doom and gloom. Andrew Hall was in prime form, and several other players got valuable time in the middle. On the bowling side, Jack Grundy showed that he can get good players out, and Dylan Moroney showed a promising turn of pace on an early season sluggish pitch. Both opening bowlers will want to curb the number of no balls in practise this week though. A combined total of thirteen was far too high.
Marple now have two away games, with the first of these at Neston’s attractive Parkgate ground on the Wirral next Saturday with a 12.30pm start.
There was better news for Marple seconds with a terrific win at Toft, the defending champions. Toft got away to a fast start, but George Clarke and Matthew Shelton stuck to their guns. After Craig and Gates had added 39, the middle order fell away. Marple welcomed back Joe Cash, and he relished his return, picking up 4 for 8 from nine overs of off spin. Toft were sent packing for just 119, Clarke 3 for 43 and Shelton 2 for 53.
James Crisall and newcomer Peter Jackson added an excellent 91 for Marple’s first wicket, and the result was never in doubt. Joe Stanley picked up three quick wickets, but Joe Cash added to his fine day with a quickfire 14 not out, including a huge six. Crisall made 51, and Jackson an impressive 43 not out on debut.
On Sunday, Marple thirds lost by six wickets in a tight T20 encounter against Stockport. Another newcomer, Connor Ramsay top scored with 39, as Marple battled to 129 for 9, Sam Stretton 23 not out. Stockport reached the target with one over to go. This was a excellent game of cricket between two good quality third teams.
