Nantwich 95 for 3 (20.3 overs) 25 points beat Marple 89 all out (30 overs) 7 points by seven wickets.
A rare sight in the 2018 season, that of heavy rain and the covers in place, greeted the players at Nantwich last Saturday. A late start time was agreed, with the game reduced to forty overs per side. Although, a later start time guarantees both teams a minimum of seven points, it was nonetheless a brave decision by Marple captain Paul Wood to elect to bat first on winning the toss. With Marple in a precarious position in the premier league, he probably felt that an objective of gaining as many batting points as possible was the preferred option.
It was brave, because it is not by accident that Nantwich are the current league leaders. They have the most potent attack in the league, and in Jimmy Warrington, most likely the top seam bowler. With some dampness still around despite the improvement in the conditions, he needed no encouragement to get into his work. From the day’s third ball, he deceived and bowled his old county captain Andrew Hall for a duck, and then in his next over had Wood lbw for two. Warrington’s partner in crime is the powerful ex Leicestershire paceman Ollie Freckingham. Whilst not quite as accurate, Freckingham is undoubtedly sharp, and is powerfully built with a strong, athletic action. He managed to find the edge of Morgan’s bat and the catch was taken by Ireland test wicket keeper Niall O’Brien. At 2 for 3, Marple were in danger of total obliteration.
However, Mark Makin was now joined by Mark Bennett, and they produced Marple’s best effort of the afternoon.
Makin took a liking to Freckingham, hitting three glorious boundaries from successive deliveries. The bowler glared at Makin, who encouraged him to serve up some more of the same! Makin played a delightful cameo, and when in this mood all bowlers can seem the same to him. Unfortunately for Marple, Warrington was absolutely on top of his form, putting his all into each delivery. He produced a snorting away swinger and Makin (24), aiming a loose drive, was comprehensively bowled. From this position of 39 for 4, it was looking bleak for the visitors especially as Mike Schofield came and went quickly, but Bennett, faced with such a demanding attack, rose to the challenge. He helped see off Warrington, and played the dangerous left arm spinner Griffiths with care. Indeed, the three sumptuous fours from a tiring Warrington in his final over, were from the top drawer. Initially, it looked as though Connor Ramsay, batting at seven, was going to be able to provide Marple’s stylish left hander with a solid partner. Sadly though, Ramsay’s unease against spin, this time in the form of Shaneil Patel, led to the batsman’s untimely demise from Marple’s point of view. At 67 for 6, there was a need for one of the lower order to dig in and give Bennett some support. This proved beyond the Marple tail. Poor Bennett’s freak run out for a gallant 41 after Grundy’s chip back to bowler Patel was diverted on to the stumps summed up the Marple innings. Once more the side was unable to bat the full overs, albeit against a quality attack. Warrington was superb, with 4 for 33, and Patel cleaned up with 3 for 6. A final tally of just 89 did not really have Marple in the game, with the conditions easing in warm sunshine.
Marple are not a side to throw in the towel, and during the Nantwich reply they tried everything to take some early wickets. It was veteran off spinner Greasley who picked up both openers though as he approached fifty wickets for the season. O’Brien made a breezy 35 and Rimmer 19. In Ryan Brown, Nantwich possess one of Cheshire’s best and most reliable players. With 29 not out including some forcefully struck boundaries, he ensured there were no further alarms as a comfortable seven wicket win was brought up in the twenty first over.
This was a chastening defeat for Marple, but they remain in ninth place due to the fact that results near the bottom of the table went their way. The team’s destiny is in its own hands, and they entertain Timperley next Saturday, 1st September, 11.30am start. Credit is due to Nantwich though. The ground was in superb order, with new benches and fixed seating in place. It is arguably now the premier venue in Cheshire, and with the side also due to feature in the national T20 finals day this is a club on an upward curve. The finals will take place at Derbyshire County Cricket ground Derby, and Sky Sports will feature a highlights package.
A battling rearguard effort from Marple’s eighth wicket pair of Ed Saxelby and Jamie Massey helped Marple to a draw in the second eleven game between the two clubs at Bowden Lane. Led by Lancashire Academy all rounder Henry Dobson with an excellent century, Nantwich rattled up an imposing 241 for 3. James Crisall with 59 and Peter Jackson 34 threatened to turn the game Marple’s way, but after Crisall was run out, it became a battle to avoid defeat. Saxelby (19 not out) and Massey (21 not out) displayed fine temperament and technique to see out the final twelve overs, the winning post being too far way. Marple ended 181 for 7, the pair adding an excellent 50 runs.
Torrential and persistent rain washed out the third eleven’s game with Didsbury, due to be played last Sunday.
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