Bramhall 232 for 7 (55 overs)
55 overs 15 points, winning draw against Marple 140 for 9 (52 overs) 5 points
A stubborn rearguard action
from Marple, spearheaded by George Pearson, helped the side avoid defeat at
local rivals Bramhall last Saturday.
What a difference a week makes.
The previous week’s glorious weather seemed a distant memory as Marple visited
Bramhall’s scenic, but exposed ground for the second game of the 2015 season. A
bitter and strong westerly wind buffeted the players as home skipper Nick
Cantello elected to bat first on winning the toss. Bramhall openers, Atiz-uz
Zaman and Jack Harris got their side of to a quick start, as bowling in 7
degrees and the biting wind was a tricky business. It was not that Sam
Harbinson and Paul Wood bowled badly for Marple, but just that anything off
line was put away to the boundary. Indeed, Harbinson beat the bat regularly
from a full length, and at 47, Harris was safely caught behind by Makin off
Harbinson. 47 for 1 became 47 for 2 when Zaman, a Bolton League acquisition for
Bramhall, skied Greasley for Bennett to safely take the catch. Bramhall’s two
best players, New South Wales squad member, Dale McKay and Lancashire Academy
and county second team player Danny Lamb were now together. Lamb looked the more assured, and McKay was
maybe fortunate to survive a confident appeal for a catch behind. Two rain
delays made for a wet ball, and any possible spin or swing was negated.
The
Aussie, McKay, despite playing some attractive shots, fretted against Greasley,
and was well caught by Paul Wood from a skier at mid on. All the while, Lamb
was settling well, and it became apparent that his wicket was the key to the
game. He had the confidence to play all his strokes, and a number of
beautifully timed on drives certainly had a good sized crowd purring in
admiration. Skipper Cantello did not last long, but Reynolds, after a sticky
start gave good support. From 123 for 4, the pair added 83 for the fifth
wicket. Lamb passed a fluent half century, and then pressed on, even after
losing Reynolds (29), to reach an excellent hundred. He had played many fine
shots, but was maybe over confident in attempting to reverse sweep Greasley and
be bowled at 224 for 6. A top class knock of 101 this for Lamb. Although three overs had been lost to the
weather, Cantello opted not to declare early. This decision was to cost him
later in the day, even though he was no doubt happy with 232 for 7 at tea. For
Marple Greasley finished with 4 for 71 in 23 determined overs.
When Marple replied after the
tea interval, Bramhall spin wizard and former Marple player, Simon Wilkinson
opened up against Andrew Hall. Wilkinson has few peers in the league for accuracy,
and he varies his pace deceptively. All the visiting batsmen had to be wary of
him. At the other end, West is a whole hearted bowler with some pace. It was
not to be Mark Makin’s day today. From his second ball, Marple’s flamboyant
keeper batsman was well caught at mid off by Harris. However, when Jim Morgan
joined Hall, and proceeded to play with assurance and style, Makin’s early
dismissal did not seem to be too much of a handicap. Hall gradually began to
find his confidence, and the second wicket pair took the score to 45 with some
attractive strokeplay.
Unfortunately for Marple, Hall was again adjudged lbw
for 21 when the skiddy Lamb replaced West. Morgan looked to be in command of
the situation though, and Eliot Young batted with responsibility in support.
Morgan timed the ball beautifully, and Young seemed to have time to spare
against the pace and also watched the canny Wilkinson carefully. They took the
score to 90 with some comfort. However, Morgan (47) was caught at long on when
Bramhall’s promising young spinner Lewis Clarke was introduced. This prompted a
middle order collapse. Mark Bennett was lbw to Wilkinson for a duck and Paul
Wood, despite looking comfortable, was sadly run out in a misunderstanding with
Young. When Harbinson was deceived by Clarke,
and Tim Radford bowled by Wilkinson, Marple were 100 for 7. Defeat
looked a formality. However, George Pearson and Young (28) both batted with
resolve. Even when the determined Young was lbw to West at 116, Pearson took
full responsibility. With solid support from first, Greg Marsland and then
Greasley, Pearson battled through 16 overs for his 19 not out, rarely looking
in trouble, despite Cantello using pace from both ends in dim light at around
7.30pm.
This was a battling draw for a Marple
side a little thin in the bowling department today. Bramhall were no doubt the
better team on the day, but were frustrated by the visitors determination led
by George Pearson at the end. The wickets were shared amongst the home bowlers.
This week, Marple entertain newly promoted Macclesfield at Bowden Lane, 12.30pm
start.
Marple second eleven’s tenth
wicket pair of Andy Baron and Andy Hayes were unable to repeat the previous
week’s heroics against Bramhall seconds at Bowden Lane on Saturday. A ten run
defeat was a frustrating outcome after the visitors had been pegged back to 179
from the 50 overs, Jack Grundy once more bowling with penetration. Again it was
Will Darby (37) and Andy Massey (40) who kept Marple in the hunt. A hard
hitting 21 from Lewis Braddock could not take the side over the line this week.
The third team made it two wins
from two in the mini league early season T20 competition against Urmston 4ths.
Matt Leech with 95 not out, and Lewis Braddock, 60 made light of the home
attack. In Urmston’s reply of 87, veteran seamer Mike Smith with 4 for 10 and
Joel Greasley 3 for 21, did the damage.
Marple’s new Development Eleven
(5th eleven) enjoyed a great
day out at Chester Boughton Hall against that club’s comparable side. In a
thirty overs per side match, Chester emerged victors by one run! Marple hope
that this team, a mix of promising youngsters, gnarled veterans and some
parents, can help give the juniors greater experience of league style cricket,
and also a lot of enjoyment.
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