Abrasive Grappenhall Prevail as it is “Deja Vu” for Marple!

Grappenhall 142 for 8 (55 overs) 25 points beat Marple 109 all out (41.2 overs) 3 points by 33 runs

For the second time in successive weeks Marple were defeated by a relatively small margin, after giving another solid performance in the field. 

Marple skipper Jim Morgan won his third toss in a row, and elected to field first. The wicket was dry and very firm, but after the recent rains had not received much sunshine. Batting was, once more, tricky, although this pitch was more even that of the previous week at Alderley Edge.  The visiting opening pair of Adam Roylance and Albert Pennington got away to a solid if unspectacular start. They added 63, with boundaries hard to come by. This though, was to prove a crucial stand, as once wickets began to fall, it became apparent that any new batsman was going find the going tricky. All four Marple bowlers used did a good job, but it was second change George Clarke who got the breakthrough with a beauty to breach Roylance’s defence for a hard fought 28. Arthur Pennington joined his brother, but although they added 30, they never looked like getting away, and Clarke got a second wicket when Arthur (11) mistimed a rare full toss to Brown at mid off.  Albert, a Cheshire Academy batsman, grafted his way to a mature 57, and Adam Green made 18 not out as Grappenhall tottered to 142 for 8 in the full 55 overs. For Marple, Liam Brown, producing good pace once more, had 4 for 26, his second spell of 4 for 11, really keeping the batting side in check. He produced three absolute beauties to shatter the stumps of fellow Aussie Olly Knight, Dan Osbourne and Josh Hayes. Greasley and Clarke were both miserly with 1 and 2 for 38 respectively. Ryan Stringer, a promising young left arm seamer made his first eleven debut in this game, and although wicketless gave a good account of himself, offering a differing angle and shaping the new ball into the right handers. 142 for 8 was not spectacular, but the runs were on the board, and free flowing run scoring was difficult.

Olly Knight had been comprehensively cleaned up earlier, but his main suit is bowling. He is tall, well over six feet, and powerfully built. Although the pitch was slow, the Sydney man produced a hostile opening spell. Jim Morgan (12) looked in good touch, getting a couple of boundaries away early on off Knight’s partner McCabe. However, he reached at a wide one from the same bowler and was neatly taken at slip by Roylance. It got worse for Marple in Knight’s next over as Andrew Hall (7) aimed a loose drive and was safely taken by keeper Osbourne. 20 for 2 was not what the doctor ordered against a vocal and abrasive fielding side, Knight leading the way. The Aussie was rested after castling Ramsay (11) who had struggled to stay with Wood. Paul Wood was a calming influence for Marple though, and he used all his experience to once more steady the ship.

However, Marple contributed to their own downfall. Roylance the Grappenhall skipper has a second string to his bow in the form of slow left arm spin. He has improved steadily in recent years, and needs to be watched. However, even the bowler himself will think that his final excellent figures flattered him somewhat. Makin (0) mistimed a drive from only his second ball and was easily pouched by Bodha at mid off.  Then Paul Wood (32), who looked as though he could steer Marple home, was dismissed from a steepler by the same combination. At 68 for 5 Stringer was sent in early with licence to play a few shots. He joined the doughty Paulett and carved a few welcome boundaries, his bravery deserving of some luck that went his way. After adding 29 though, his share 24, he could not resist a flighted delivery from Roylance and put it straight down deep mid wicket’s throat. The end was not long coming now, as Knight was champing at the bit to polish things off. He had his revenge on Brown (2) as Marple’s Aussie snicked to Osborne. Roylance removed Schofield (5) and then had the battling Paulett (11) brilliantly caught at silly mid off by Fell. To jubilant scenes Knight sealed the victory by bowling George Clarke for a duck, and Marple were once more left to rue their failure to chase down a relatively modest total. Knight had 4 for 39 to go with Roylance’s remarkable 5 for 21.

With two T20 games scheduled for mid week, Marple will have chance to get back in the middle quickly. Next weekend sees a double header away from Bowden Lane, on Saturday at Chester Boughton Hall, and Sunday in the first round of the Cheshire Cup at holders Oulton Park.

Marple seconds are the early leaders in the second eleven premier league after a comfortable five wicket win at Grappenhall last Saturday. The home side were sent packing for just 75, with Ed Saxelby, Joe Cash and Andy Massey each picking up three wickets. Although wickets fell regularly in the reply, the result was never in doubt as Marple reached 76 for 5 in 25 overs.

The past two weeks have brought mixed fortunes for Marple’s third eleven. The good news was a remarkable performance, spearheaded by Mark Nicholson (84), against Stockport Georgians in the final T20 group match. By posting a mammoth 197 for 4 and restricting Georgians to just 79 for 9 they were able to progress on net run rate to the quarter final stages for the first time in a number of seasons. This was especially satisfying after a disappointing defeat the previous day to Didsbury’s fourth team looked to have put qualification out of reach.

Last Sunday, despite  the superb Mark Nicholson (97) almost bringing about a remarkable win, Grappenhall prevailed by 19 runs at the mid Cheshire side’s picturesque venue. The home team, with a strong top order, totalled 219 for 5 with James Reeve 2 for 27, Callum Jones 2 for 26 and skipper Greg Marsland 1 for 37 doing s sterling job for Marple. Marple were not helped by a late cry off which meant they batted a man short. It proved crucial, as they fell to 200 for 9 (all out) with just one over remaining. Nicholson sacrificed personal glory attempting the win, and he was well supported by Matt Leech (26) and Jonny Monk (20) who show admirable temperament and skill at number 8 in support of the fantastic Nicholson.