Marple 182 for 2 (31.3 overs) 25 points beat Bowdon 181 for 7 (55 overs) 4 points by 8 wickets
A superb innings of 92 from Mark Makin on his home debut was the icing on the cake in a top class team performance against Bowdon on Saturday.
Visiting skipper Gareth Edwards elected to bat first on winning the toss. There was some dampness in the air, although the pitch was dry and firm and the outfield fast. Marple’s opening bowlers, Matt Whittaker and Andy Wylie were right on the spot from ball one as the visiting opening batsmen found runs extremely hard to come by. Aussie Mark Phelan, dug in after the loss of his partner McDougall (11), safely caught behind by Makin off Whittaker.
Bowdon 18 for one in the 11th over. Experienced campaigner Paddy McKeown (33), tried to follow Phelan’s example, and the pair attempted to blunt the home attack and also put away the rare bad delivery. Wylie was wicketless, but bowled ten overs for only fifteen runs, whilst Whittaker proved scarcely more expensive. Although 79 runs were added for the second wicket, the majority of the overs had been used when McKeown was bowled to give Wood his first Marple wicket. Patrick Ashling attempted to inject some life into the innings, and he and Phelan(69) added 28 in good time before Phelan gave the accurate Greasley a simple caught and bowled at 125 for 3.
Captain Mark Bennett was having a good day in the field, and his day got even better when he moved Mummery wider at long on, and then the very next ball saw Bowdon’s Lancashire star Ollie Newby(1) hit the ball straight down the fielder’s throat. Eliot Young continued his good progress bowling an excellent spell of slow left arm at the pavilion end, and the lid was kept on the Bowdon innings. There were two wickets apiece for Young, Greasley and Whittaker, with some excellent catches being taken once again by Mummery, Marshall and Bennett.
Once again, a fine performance in the field from Marple.
After the tea interval, skipper Bennett opted to open up with Mark Makin as Marshall’s opening partner. This was maybe a surprise to the goodish crowd that had built up. However, Makin showed what a classy batsman he is. The much vaunted opening attack of Chris Ashling and Ollie Newby, both with first class experience, caused few alarms for the batsmen. They played their strokes when the opportunity arose, Marshall bravely pulling Ashling, and then Newby for fours, and Newby being beautifully driven through extra cover by Makin.
Even though Edwards juggled his bowlers, giving Newby a chance with the wind, nothing seemed to disturb the flow of runs. The fifty came up at a rate of more than five an over, and when Edwards himself came on, he was treated harshly by Makin who would not allow him to settle. Makin’s timing was superb, and this was highlighted by a beautiful straight six. Ashling was reintroduced at the bottom end, and he got one to keep a little low to give the visitors a ray of hope as Marshall was lbw for a fine 42 at 81 for 1.
There was no respite for the visitors though, as Makin continued on his way.
Morgan played himself in, but when the chance to score came along, he was almost brutal in his dismissal of the ball. Runs continued to flow at a furious pace until Edwards threw the ball to Phelan. The Aussie managed to deceive Makin and have him lbw just five runs short of the victory target. A superb home debut this for Makin and his 92 runs flowed from just 81 deliveries faced including ten fours and two sixes. Paul Wood clipped Tully to leg to bring up an emphatic victory by eight wickets for Marple.
James Morgan remained 40 not out, a mixture of responsible support of Makin and fiercely struck boundaries.
Next Saturday 3rd May, Marple visit picturesque Toft, 12.30pm start, the second team being at home to Toft seconds and a 1.00pm start.
Marple seconds had the better of a drawn game at Cheadle last Saturday. A solid team batting performance saw the visitors post 215 for 9 after 50 overs, Will Darby 56, Andy Wild 42 and Andy Bell 29 not out, Whiteley 4 for 50. Cheadle got away to a sluggish start and were never in a position to challenge for a win, closing on 176 for 6, Wall, 66 and Yahya 42. For Marple, Adam Newington toiled manfully for his 3 for 50.
