Lower Order Battles to Draw Against League Leaders

Hyde 177 all out (51.4 overs) 11 points drew with Marple 156 for 9 (58 overs) 6 points 

A determined effort from Marple’s lower order, particularly Andy Mummery and Matt Whittaker, helped Marple to a draw against Hyde at Bowden Lane on Saturday. This, after they had been in trouble at 92 for 7. 

On a cool, overcast late June afternoon, Hyde skipper Berry elected to bat first on winning the toss. Marple got off to an excellent start with Berry run out for 2 and then Andy Wylie having Tipper lbw for a duck soon afterwards. Cheshire skipper James Duffy never really settled, and played a number of extravagant shots possibly trying to remove the threatening Wylie from the attack. Duffy reached 22, but then was brilliantly caught at slip by his county predecessor Andrew Hall off the excellent Wylie, the score at 56 for 3. Hyde relied for their runs today on the two stalwarts, Brierley and Fitzsimmons. Both players showed their experience, and mixed defence with good running. They also put away the loose deliveries to the boundary when the opportunity arose. Brierley was strong through the off side, and Fitzsimmons swept with exquisite timing. He was quite severe on Eliot Young, who had replaced Whittaker at the bottom end.  Young did not bowl badly, but he was up against a very canny player. 

It is difficult to praise Andy Greasley too much for his bowling at present. The veteran spinner, once of Leicestershire and then Cheshire can have no peers in the art of off spin bowling within the league this season.  He seems to have the ball on a string, and his control and variation caused all the Hyde batsmen problems. Brierley was deceived in flight and stumped by Makin soon after reaching a fine half century.  Danny Williams did not give Greasley sufficient respect, and was comprehensively bowled for one.  At 121 for 5, Hyde were unravelling. However, Jason Whittaker is a player choc full of skill and experience, and he batted carefully against Greasley. Fitzsimmons completed a fine fifty, but was then well caught by Bennett off Matt Whittaker attempting an untypical drive. Hyde’s Whittaker and Fitton battled to take the score to 170, before Greasley and the returning Wylie wrapped the innings up for 177 in the 52^nd over. Greasley had 4 for 35 from 15.4 overs, and Wylie 4 for 43.

So, Marple had 58 overs to reach their target. After getting off the mark with a sumptuous on drive from Hanna, Mark Makin was caught behind from the first ball he received from Jason Whittaker. However, Andrew Hall, in particular, and James Morgan both looked in good touch. Hall drove both bowlers through the covers, and Morgan hooked the skiddy Hanna. Disaster struck for Marple at 35, when first, Morgan (10) and then Hall (20) were both caught at mid on by Fitton in trying to hit the ball over the top. Hyde sensed their chance, and piled the pressure on Bennett and Wood. There were precious few scoring opportunities, as the bowlers found an excellent line and length. Bennett looked solid though and eventually took Whittaker for two boundaries in an over. Wood (5) fell lbw to Whittaker, and then after digging in for a while, Jonny Marshall (3) tamely chipped Hanna to Fitzsimmons at mid wicket.  Bennett played a fine exemplary knock, memorably hooking Hanna into the pavilion for six. This in an over when the Aussie delivered five consecutive bouncers. Sadly for Marple, his concentration deserted him when he guided Whittaker to Duffy at slip to be caught for 36. Young (4) also fell in the slips and Marple were 92 for 7 and looking at a second successive league defeat. Andy Mummery showed excellent application though, and with Matt Whittaker once more putting a high price on his wicket, a determined rear guard action began. Mummery waited patiently for the rare bad deliveries which he put away in style, and the pair added 49 for the eighth wicket.  With 36 required form six overs, an unlikely victory looked a possibility. However, Hanna returned for a second spell, and concentrated on bowling off cutters. A beauty deceived Mummery to bowl him for a valiant 34. Skipper Berry had Greasley caught at short leg, but Whittaker, with a gritty 28 not out saw Marple to safety at 156 for 9. Jason Whittaker had 4 for 55 and Hanna 4 for 72 from a marathon 27 overs. 

Marple had a chance to defeat the league leaders, but crucial errors, and the accuracy of Hyde’s opening bowlers meant they had to settle for the draw, dropping to fourth in the league. Next Saturday, they are once more at home, entertaining Grappenhall, as the second half of the season begins, 12.30 pm start. 

A short boundary hampered Marple second team’s attempt to defend a solid score of 216 for 9 at Werneth Low. The highlight for Marple was a magnificent knock of 109 not out from George Pearson. Pearson has taken his chance well at the top of the order, and was well supported by Joe Cash who made 38 as the pair added over 80 for the sixth wicket. Hyde managed to keep wickets in hand, and although Marple kept them waiting until the final over, victory came by the margin of 6 wickets. 

A below par batting display from the third team contributed to a comprehensive defeat at home to Cheadle thirds on Sunday. From 3 for 3, Andy Massey with 50 and James with 40 rescued things somewhat, and a total of 138 all out was reached. Cheadle though  ran out comfortable winners by six wickets.

 Marple fourth put up an excellent display at Hale Barns. Mike Smith with five wickets was the bowling hero as Barns were dismissed for 165. After a shaky start, Marple were steered to a tight two victory by Tom Reeve with 38 not out.