Tuesday, 16 September 2014

Rampant Hyde Romp to Title!

Hyde 115 for 0 (16.4 overs) beat Marple 110 all out (42.2 overs) 0 points by ten wickets. 
Hyde were far too good for a Marple side that, despite its best intentions, was unable to mount a serious challenge as the home side coasted to the Cheshire County Premier League title. 
Mark Bennett won the toss at Werneth Low and elected to bat first on what looked to be an excellent pitch. Hyde have relied heavily on their opening bowlers Jason Whittaker and Matt Hanna this season. Not only have they been the club’s leading wicket takers, but run scoring opportunities for the batsmen have been at a premium. Today it was obvious that they were bowling to well thought out plans against their near neighbours. Andrew Hall was kept quiet, with many deliveries passing by the off stump, particularly from Hanna. Three early wickets fell, with Makin well caught at slip by Duffy, Morgan harshly adjudged lbw and Mummery caught behind to leave Marple 26 for 3. There then followed Marple’s only bright period of a miserable afternoon. Hall and Mark Bennett tried to repair the early damage, and they added 42 runs with sensible batting. However, Hall (28) was deceived by a slower delivery from Hanna and bowled at 68 for 4. This, after he had taken successive boundaries from the Aussie.
Subsequently, only Bennett, with a fine 43, provided any resistance against Hyde’s unstoppable momentum. It was a sorry procession for Marple, despite Jimmy Ormond finding the boundary on three occasions. 110 all out was a paltry score against Hyde’s top class batting line up on a tight ground with short boundaries. Mention should be made of Duffy’s superb one handed diving catch at slip to dismiss Barlow. This brought great applause from a decent sized crowd that had gathered. The excellent home bowlers Whittaker and Hanna finished with 6 for 56 and 4 for 49 respectively. 
Hyde were on no mood to poke around and accumulate the necessary runs. Today was their destiny, and they were going to put on the style of champions. Khalid Sawas and David Fitzsimmons were in blazing form, as Matt Whittaker in particular was made to suffer. Boundaries flowed all around the wicket from both players initially, but after the half century partnership was raised, Sawas took total command, seemingly hitting fours at will. He won the game for Hyde with an outrageous scoop shot for six into the pavilion, provoking loud cheers as a long awaited first Premier League title was confirmed. Sawas concluded on 75 not out, and loyal Hyde servant Fitzsimmons 31 not out as 115 for 0 wickets was reached after only 16.4 overs. Marple needed early wickets, but there were far too many loose deliveries served up to help Hyde on their way. 
Hyde have long wanted this championship. There are a number of players who have almost tasted success in previous seasons, but on this occasion the three main performers were each in their first seasons with the club. They are a fine side though, with a potent combination of discipline and flair propelling them to success this year. 
 For Marple, the season fell away badly in the last two weeks with heavy defeats against the top sides. As a result of accruing no points here, they slipped from fifth to joint eighth in the league.  However, with major improvements to the pavilion soon to begin there will most likely be a fresh feel to things in 2015. 

It was left to Marple seconds to restore some pride to the club as they comfortably defeated Hyde seconds by seven wickets at Bowden Lane. George Clarke produced a superb display of medium paced bowling to take 8 for 51 as Hyde were dismissed for 140. Clarke has relished having a more responsible role on the seconds this season, and he has kept improving with his hard work and application. This return was excellent reward. Despite a sticky start, two wickets falling for 25, Will Darby and Gary Cash gradually took control. Darby reached his half century first, and then Cash soon followed. There were fine strokes from both players all round the wicket. Cash was bowled for 56 when the scores were level, but Darby, with 53 not out, was still there as the winning runs came up, courtesy of four byes. 
The third team will still be playing in the Sunday Third Eleven Premier League in 2015. Results last week meant that relegation was no longer a possibility.


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