ulton Park 224 for 6 (55 overs) 25 points beat Marple 152 all out (43.4 overs) 3 points by 72 runs
On a glorious mid May afternoon, Marple were once more comfortably defeated at Oulton Park’s picturesque Little Budworth ground in rural Cheshire.
This game had a similar pattern to the one the previous week at home to Didsbury, only this time the margin of the defeat was greater. Pat Roberts, Park skipper elected to bat first on winning the toss. Marple were disappointed to be in the field first, as the pitch was white, and seemed to be flat and firm. With the outfield fast and the boundaries short, a tough afternoon beckoned. However, once again, appearances can be deceptive. The batting surface was not the paradise it promised to be on initial viewing. For Marple, Moroney bowled with some good pace and keeper Morgan took a number of deliveries waist high and above. The hard hitting East got the ball to the boundary on a number of occasions, but it was generally an even contest between bat and ball, and Cheshire opening bat, Danny Leech was beaten for pace and adjudged lbw for just 9 in Moroney’s fourth over at 34 for one. Shabaz joined East, and although they added 59 runs, Marple, through the inform Greasley and Mudassar Phanchbaya, exerted a good measure of control. Indeed, East was missed three times, twice from dropped catches and once from a missed stumping by Morgan. It was the period around the drinks interval that saw Marple have their best spell of the afternoon. East was lbw to Phanchbaya for an untypical 49. Shabaz (29) followed soon afterwards to the same bowler, well caught by Schofield from a skier. When Greasley had first Jamieson, stumped for a duck, and Hyslop (15) brilliantly caught by Moroney, Oulton Park were 115 for 5. Marple were now on top, but as against Didsbury, Greasley had bowled through his 17 overs relatively early in the piece, this time with 2 for 32. Phanchaya continued his fine spell though as Roberts and Lancashire Academy youngster Gibbon played themselves in.
Roberts showed good maturity in his innings, picking the right moment to attack. For the second successive week, Marple were unable to keep a lid on a destructive sixth wicket partnership. Phanchbaya finished his 17 overs with 2 for 47, a fine effort, and one that showed stamina and application. The returning opening bowlers, however, Moroney and Grundy were dealt with harshly towards the end. 106 runs came in good time, with Gibbon, in particular, finding the boundary with regularity. Makin took an excellent catch to dismiss Gibbon for 45 off Moroney, but the damage was done. 224 for 6 was a score somewhat above par on a pitch that offered some assistance to bowlers of all types. Roberts’ fine innings of 52 not out contained four fours and two sixes.
Such a target is often well within reach at this typically high scoring venue, but after two overs, Marple were 0 for 2! Both openers, Hall and Makin, were back in the hutch, one wicket apiece for Parkinson and Douglas, and 225 looked to be well over the horizon. Connor Ramsay and Mark Bennett had staged a mini recovery the previous week, but here they got Marple back into the game. Bennett was in prime form. He punished Douglas as the seamer erred in line and length, and then, when Roberts introduced his trump card Kashif, proceeded to back his judgment, launching a furious assault on the former international off spinner. Four huge sixes were deposited into the adjoining fields as Roberts persevered with Kashif in the hope of the break through. Ramsay also found his range with a number of attractive strokes. 73 excellent runs came in fifteen overs as supporters of both sides were royally entertained. Ramsay (27) may have been a trifle unlucky to be given lbw to Kashif, but with Wood digging in to support Bennett, the momentum was not lost for Marple. Bennett passed a superb half century, and such was his command that Roberts was forced totally on the defensive. Kashif was removed from the attack, but Douglas was harshly treated in a short second spell. However, first Gibbon and then Hyslop both bowled tidy spells for the home side.
After the drinks break, Roberts gave Kashif a second spell. He is a big spinner of the ball, and found plenty of assistance on this track. Bennett was not able to find his earlier mastery and was deceived and gratefully stumped by Roberts. His superb 76 contained 8 fours and 5 sixes. He added 53 with Wood. Sadly for Marple, his dismissal heralded a fairly swift demise. Wood (20) attempted to force the pace, but was well caught at point by Kashif off Hyslop. Parkinson then returned to help Kashif mop up the innings, with only Schofield, 11 not out, offering any real resistance. A final total of just 152 all out was very disappointing from a promising position of 126 for 3. Kashif, recovering from his early mauling had 5 for 41, and Parkinson a useful 3 for 38.
Once more Marple showed that they are more than capable of competing in the top division of Cheshire cricket, but they were unable to capitalise on a good position when the opposition were 115 for 5. The batting as a whole remains a worry, with seven players contributing just 4 runs between them in this game. Each league fixture has seen a Marple batsman reach a half century, but it has been the support hat has been generally lacking. The ability in the top order is certainly there, so the side will hope to turn things around starting next Saturday with a home fixture against old rivals Alderley Edge, 12.30pm start.
A dour game of cricket saw Marple battle to a draw in the second eleven fixture between the two clubs at Bowden Lane. Some innovative batting, with good running between the wickets saw the visitors post an above par 172 for 8 on a sluggish surface. Spinners Joe Cash and Andy Massey once more did a good job for Marple, but the Marple batsmen became becalmed on the resumption. What seemed, on paper, to be a strong line up, never threatened to pull off a win, and there did not appear to be a solid plan of action to chase down the target. It was left to Ed Saxelby with a doughty 20 not out, and Andy Wild 8 not out, to see Marple to just 110 for 6 from the full fifty overs.
Marple thirds were once more on the road last Sunday, this time to Nantwich. Captain for the day, Matt Barrow elected to field first on winning the toss. His bowlers, led by Marple newcomer Josh Kirk did a good job in restricting the home side to 173 for 9 in 45 overs. Kirk had a fine 4 for 40, and Daniel (DD)Davies 3 for 17 in a good all round effort in the field. When Marple replied the hero was the club’s multi talented all rounder Sam Stretton. Sam, batting at four, hit a match winning 61 not out as Marple completed a fine win against strong third eleven opposition.
Marple women’s team played their first home fixture on Sunday against Appleton (near Warrington). In superb May sunshine, and with the ground in great shape, a terrific afternoon was had by players and supporters of both sides.
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