Honours Even at Parkgate!

An excellent game of cricket, with a tense finish, saw Marple and Neston draw at the scenic Parkgate ground on Saturday. 

Yet another wet Friday evening and Saturday morning in this season of 2014 saw a delay to the start of play at Neston. The game was reduced to 50 overs per side, and Mark Bennett asked his opposite number, David Hurst, to bat on winning the toss. Matt Whittaker was on the mark as usual, and he managed to beat the bat on a number of occasions, the ball often carrying to keeper Makin at waist height or above. Paul Wood, once again, provided useful support, although on this occasion, despite testing the Neston openers Smith and Williams, the wickets eluded him. Williams (12) was lbw to Whittaker at 17, and then Smith (13) was well caught by Jake Warner at mid off when he mistimed a drive. Whittaker was proving to be a handful for the home side, but skipper Hurst and his partner, the hard hitting Will Evans, began a fine partnership for the third wicket, first with excellent running between the wickets, and then, when they had settled, with attractive strokeplay. Evans was not afraid to take the aerial route, with lofted driven boundaries. Hurst was happier to rotate the strike, and then put away the loose deliveries when they arrived. He swept Greasley, who replaced Wood for fours to the leg side boundary. Marple were doing well in the field without being at their clinical best. Whittaker was rested after a fine, long opening spell of 2 for 27 from 12 overs. It was tough for first change Chris Barlow to bowl at two set batsmen, and Evans was harsh on the young seamer, Barlow being removed from the attack after only three overs that cost him 23 runs. 

Andy Greasley was not quite at his best, but he battled away valiantly today. His persistence was rewarded when the dangerous Evans (35) was safely caught by Jimmy Ormond at slip at 91 for 3. At this point, Hurst attempted to take the game away from Marple, whist the experienced Richard Wilkinson played himself in. The pair added 38 quick runs, Hurst smiting two sixes, before Greasley bowled the home captain for a fine 52 at 129 for 4. Greasley picked up a couple of further wickets before Ash Davies joined Wilkinson. Once again, the running between the wickets was excellent, and although Jimmy Ormond made the odd delivery behave alarmingly, consistency eluded him on this occasion. Wilkinson (46 not out) struck at the right moments to take Neston to, what seemed to players and spectators, an above par score of 197 for 6 after the 50 overs. He memorably hit Ormond for two successive sixes over the pavilion. Davies (23 not out) was excellent in support. For Marple, Greasley stuck to his guns and finished with 4 for 67 from 17 overs.  

Neston have a more than useful seam attack, and former Cheshire opening bowler, the tall Chris Finegan was keen to get the ball in his hands, believing that there was assistance for him on this pitch. He soon had Crisall (2) caught behind by keeper Williams with Marple just 5 for 1. Mark Makin and Jake Warner both looked secure though, and the pacy Davis was put away for boundaries by both players. Wilkinson replaced Davis, and was promptly driven gloriously through extra cover by Makin (18) for four. The batsman attempted to repeat the shot a few deliveries later, but missed and lost his leg stump, much to the delight of the bowler. Andrew Hall, in next, likes batting at Neston, and he played the two shots of day. The first was a classical extra cover drive off Wilkinson from the first ball he received. This shot drew gasps of admiration from the visiting supporters, and a look of disbelief from the bowler, a former Cheshire colleague of Hall. Hall then played responsibly alongside the emerging Warner, who was immaculate in defence and timed the ball sweetly when playing an attacking stroke. It was something of a surprise when Warner (18) edged the accurate Finegan to the keeper at 54 for 3. Mark Bennett (8) did not really settle on this occasion, and he too edged Finegan, this time to slip where Sykes took the catch. Marple were now tottering at 68 for 4. Paul Wood was a commanding presence at number six though. He was solid in defence, and he and Hall began to rebuild the Marple response. The cricket was of a high standard, with Hurst rotating his bowlers once Finegan was rested after a high class spell of 3 for 21 from 13 overs. Both Wilkinson and slow left armer Stimson had to be watched carefully, the pitch offering assistance to both bowlers. Hall was in top class touch, and Wood too began to look increasingly impressive. The fifty stand came up after sensible application, and when Hall sensed the time to accelerate, he played the second of his shots of the day, and effortless six over long off from Stimson, the ball sailing into the road. Hurst had, by now, gone totally onto the defensive with five men on the boundary edge for all bowlers. This was slightly surprising, as well though his side fielded, he took away the chance to pick up wickets, instead, waiting for a batsmen error. It looked as though he would be happy with a draw. With just twenty needed, Hall mistimed a sweep from Stimson, and was brilliantly caught at deep square leg by Sykes. His fine innings of 69 showed that he still has few equals in the league. Ormond then helped Wood add 13 more before he was bowled by Stimson. Eight were needed from Wilkinson’s final over with Wood on strike. No run was possible from the first ball, but the second, a wide delivery was superbly stopped by Williams. However, non striker Whittaker charged down the pitch in an attempt to steal a single. Wood looked up, aghast at his partner’s actions, then vainly tried to make his ground at the bowler’s end. He had no chance, and was run out for 51, an innings full of character and excellent strokeplay. Although Whittaker and Pearson managed six runs from the final four deliveries, Marple finished on 196 for 7, and a nailbiting draw. 

This was a terrific match, and the closest of the season. Neston’s superb ground fielding ultimately gained them the draw after the high class partnership of 109 for the fifth wicket by Hall and Wood threatened victory for Marple.

 Marple may not be able to win the league this season, but they can have a say in it. Next week they entertain champions, second placed Chester Boughton Hall at Bowden Lane, and then in the final match, travel the short distance to league leaders Hyde. Both games start at 12.00 noon.
 

A vintage knock of 71 not out from the evergreen Gary Cash took Marple seconds to victory over Neston seconds on Saturday in a game reduced to forty over per side. Cash was at his savage best as he helped his team overhaul a total of 138 for victory in only 27 overs. Skipper Andy Wild, with 25 not out added useful support. Earlier, George Clarke with 5 for 34, and Greg Marsland 3 for 39 had been excellent in bowling out the visitors relatively cheaply. 

A demob happy Marple fourth team were soundly beaten by nine wickets by Hale Barns thirds on Sunday at Bowden Lane. This solitary defeat should not take too much gloss over the fourth team’s season though. Rick Major could not inspire his team today despite making a terrific 57 out of 139 all out. Only Andy Gichero, with 24, was able to give any support. The visitors cruised to victory with plenty of overs to spare. After the game, Major was presented with the champion’s shield to great applause.  Once again, many congratulations on the title and promotion! 

James Hirst’s third eleven ended their season with a ten wicket thrashing at Sunday premier league champions Cheadle. The side were bowled out for 134, David Brook top scoring with 44. Cheadle’s openers knocked off the runs in quick time to leave Marple sweating for a couple more weeks before knowing their fate for next season.