Warrington Leads Rout at Marple, but Clarke’s Seconds Continue to Impress !!

Marple 78 all out (40.2 overs) 1 point, lost to Nantwich 79 for 3 (17.4 overs) 25 points by 7 wickets

Marple will fervently hope that Saturday’s comprehensive home defeat to a confident Nantwich side was the nadir of the 2015 season. It is hard to imagine a day when anything further could have gone wrong from a cricketing point of view, despite Mark Bennett winning the toss and electing to bat on a seemingly good surface at Bowden Lane.

The Nantwich opening attack of Jimmy Warrington and Adam Sydall would appear to amongst the most potent in the Premier League in 2015. On Saturday, whilst left arm seamer Sydall was below par, with a series of no balls and variable line and length, his partner Warrington was right on target from ball one. The former Cheshire opening bowler is still young, and looked in prime form. Stand in opener for Marple, George Pearson was determined to get into line and battle, but he must have been aware that Warrington was bowling a “heavy” delivery. Runs were hard to come by, and this looked to be a day when the batsmen had to carefully try and see off the new ball, giving the attack full respect.  The modern way, however, is to try and dominate quickly. This tactic was fraught with danger against a hostile and accurate Warrington. Makin, Morgan and Young were soon all back in the pavilion, comprehensibly bowled as Pearson watched in horror from the non striker’s end.

Marple skipper Mark Bennett joined Pearson, but Sydall’s waywardness was to be of no help to Marple. Nantwich captain Ray Doyle, removed him from the attack and introduced the miserly left armer Griffiths instead. Here is a bowler who is not really a slow left arm spinner, but more a left arm medium pace bowler. He has remarkable accuracy, and immediately settled into a spell of bowling which had all the Marple batsmen in a state of complete uncertainly. It is worth recording that in his final figures of 15 overs 10 maidens 4 for 15, there were only six deliveries out of the ninety that were scored from.  When Warrington was rested, former IPL all rounder, Abishek Raut got his spinning fingers warmed up after a couple of overs to provide useful support to Griffiths. The Marple middle order, Paul Wood (24) excepted, could not get the ball off the square, and when Warrington returned, he quickly cleaned up the tail to finish with 5 for 30 from 13.2 overs. 78 all out was a sorry tale of woe for Marple. The top order lacked application, but not ability, and all will have been disappointed to be dismissed so quickly, admittedly by a quality attack. Bennett may have been unlucky, but Paul Wood was the only home batsman who looked to be in any sort of touch, and he was stumped when deceived by Griffith’s dangerous even quicker delivery. 

The Nantwich response proceeded serenely to the small target. Sam Harbinson was treated harshly, once more finding the pitch too sluggish. Spinners Greasley and Eliot Young both bowled tidily, but after Young had removed Simpson lbw, Lancashire starlet Liam Livingstone was brutal. He lofted Greasley for 4 and 6, and then took 18 from a Harbinson over when the Marple paceman was reintroduced.  Possibly the best moment of the day for the home side came when Greg Marsland bowled his first delivery in first team cricket to Livingstone. Livingstone (33) had made his T20 debut for Lancashire the previous evening, but carved his first ball from Marsland to cover where Pearson took a fine catch. This was a memorable wicket for the uncomplaining Marple seamer. Young then deceived Brown (24) to bowl him at 73 for 3 to give Marple a solitary point from the game. Young’s short spell of accurate left arm spin was a high point for Marple on a day they will quickly want to forget as a 7 wicket victory for Nantwich came up in only 18^th over. 

Next Saturday sees a highlight for the Marple supporters with a visit to Neston’s beautiful ground on the Wirral, a 12.30pm start. 

It was a different story for the second eleven as George Clarke led his side to a fourth win from five games, this time at the expense of local rivals Stockport at Cale Green. This victory takes the side to the top of the second eleven premier league. On a wicket that required concentration, Ryan Lindsay (50) made a second successive half century as Marple reached a competitive 163 for 7 in the full 50 overs. Most of the main batsmen were able to give support, but Lindsay’s knock was the highest of the day on either side. Stockport got off to fast start despite Jack Grundy picking up a couple of early wickets. Clarke kept cool though, and introduced himself and Marple’s man of the season so far, the ageless left arm spinner Andy Hayes. From 80 for 3, Stockport subsided to 109 all out, Hayes 5 for 38 (19 wickets so far this season) and Clarke 3 for 24 giving the opposition nothing. They were superbly supported in the field, where keeper Andy Wild was once more in top class form. 

Marple thirds were involved in an excellent game of cricket in bitterly cold conditions at Bowden Lane on Sunday. Bramhall made 202, and Marple were in good shape at 123 for 2, Luke Greasley 40 and Jamie Massey 43. However, a freak run out accounted for Matt Leach (30) and the home side had to battle to a losing draw at 173 for 8. 

The fourths were dismissed for only 85 at Sale, skipper Rick Major 29 and Daniel (“DD”) Davies 18. Sale slumped to 18 for 4, but recovered to win by five wickets. “DD” continued his impressive start to the season with 3 wickets.

Hyde Hoodoo Continues for Marple First Eleven, but Clarke Leads from the Front for the Seconds!

Hyde 135 for 3 (26.2 overs) 25 points beat Marple 129 all out (48.5 overs) 1 point by seven wickets.

Cricketers might be forgiven for thinking that autumn has come early. After the balmy delights of mid April, three perishing Saturdays have followed. The Werneth Low mountain summits were not the place to be on a May afternoon that saw temperatures still in single figures, and with a wind chill factor that made some December days seem positively tropical in comparison!

Well, it was almost dry. With a late start, and just six overs lost to the elements, Hyde skipper Danny Berry probably could barely contain a chortle as he inserted Marple on an old fashioned green seamer. Even in club cricket, these tracks are not as commonplace as they once were, due to the covering available to all Premier League clubs. Whilst Hyde’s veteran opening bowler, Jason Whittaker might have wished for slightly warmer conditions, he must have been licking his lips in glee as he marked out his run, tape measure in hand. He had surely warmed up his experienced muscles in the relative warmth of the dressing room. Marple were soon 5 for 3. Openers, Hall and Makin, undefeated in the rained off game the previous week, fell for ducks  to the wily Whittaker, and Jim Morgan, whilst seemingly in little trouble, drove at the bustling Danny Williams, only to be smartly taken low down by Danny Woods at gully.

The 2015 Marple side have character. In the face of potential humiliation, Eliot Young and skipper Mark Bennett proceeded to get the visitors into the game. Bennett was untroubled by the bowling. He was immaculate in defence and timed the ball superbly. If only he could be supported, there was still hope. Young showed real determination and skill. He was dropped twice, once from a skier by Williams, and then ironically by Whittaker at slip. Were the bowlers in serious competition for wickets? The fourth wicket pair added 56 runs for Marple. Young memorably cover drove Williams for four, and Bennett effortlessly stroked Whittaker over the sight screen for six, following this with another glorious cover drive. Young showed maturity beyond his years as he battled against Whittaker and new Cheshire captain Danny Woods who replaced Williams in the 16^th over. He will remember his 26 from 63 deliveries more than some higher scores he will make in the future. In trying to pull Whittaker, he skied the ball for Woods to take a second gully catch. Paul Wood was soon lbw to Whittaker, but both Harbinson and Pearson gave sound support to Bennett, only to fall when being over ambitious.

Marple’s new signing Chris Wood has not played Premier League cricket before, but he has been a quality performer for years. Number nine in the order is probably as low as he has batted, but he brought all his experience and skill to bear, watchful in defence and taking the chance to score when he could. Sadly for Marple, Bennett (49) made his only mistake when chipping Woods to deep mid wicket. The Marple skipper had batted flawlessly for over two hours in challenging conditions, but his dismissal at 93 for 8 meant that Wood had to try and take control. With determined support from Tim Radford, 26 runs were added. Wood (28) superbly drove Woods over long off for six, but two crazy run outs brought the innings to a close. Hyde are a magnificent fielding side, and Fitzsimmons ran Radford out with a direct hit, and then Wood fell as he tried to call Greasley for a second, possibly forgetting that Hyde’s boundaries are short. 129 all out was well below par on a small ground, but a score in double figures had looked likely earlier. For Hyde, Whittaker had 5 for 54 from almost 25 overs, with a solitary full toss the only loose delivery. He was supported by Woods with 2 for 48 from 17 overs.

After the tea interval, Hyde’s new Lancashire Academy opener Harry Dearden looked in good touch. He hooked Sam Harbinson for four, and also top edged him over the slips in the first over. Makin did remarkably well to get a left glove on a thin edge when Dearden nicked Chris Wood in the fourth over. It would have been a miracle catch had it stuck. Chris Wood followed up his good knock with a tight spell, but Harbinson was relatively expensive. There was not sufficient pace in the wicket for him, and anything short was pulled, and when he pitched up, both Dearden and Sawas drove through the off side. Harbinson has a beautiful action though, and if ever the wickets do firm up this season, he is sure to be a handful for batsmen with his deceptive pace and movement.

Hyde were never under any pressure in this run chase. Wood bowled four maidens in his first five overs, but when he switched ends, could not find the same control. His 7 overs cost 24, but both Hyde openers had to watch him with care. Marple spinners, Greasley and Young then captured three wickets. Sawas (30) struck Young’s first ball for six, but was then beautifully caught by keeper Makin, who then stumped Dearden in Greasley’s next over, the score 82 for 2. Duffy survived a confident appeal for caught behind soon after wards, but fell, caught by Young off Greasley for 17. Victory came up for Hyde by the margin of seven wickets with Tipper and Berry suffering no further alarms. Greasley had 2 for 34, and Young bowled much better than his 1 for 42 might suggest.

Next Saturday Marple entertain Nantwich with a 12.30pm start.

Marple’s buoyant second eleven had a superb win at home to Hyde seconds on Saturday. Ryan Lindsay (60) was supported by Will Darby (36) Gary Cash (23) and Will Sugden (23), as they raised 185 for 5 in a game reduced to 45 overs per side. Hyde got off to a rapid start, but skipper Clarke rallied his troops superbly. He led the way himself with 5 for 40 from 18 terrific overs. Evergreen veteran slow left armer, Andy Hayes backed him up with a fighting 4 for 63. Marple were razor sharp in the field with Will Darby leading the way, taking four fine catches at mid off. Victory by 37 runs came with nine deliveries remaining.  Marple in the top two after four games played with three wins.

Both the thirds and fourths suffered comprehensive defeats to Didsbury’s Sunday teams. The thirds were bowled out for only 86 chasing 182, Andy Baron 3 for 38. David Brook with 29 was Marple’s top scorer.

Playing at Charlesworth’s picturesque ground due to the ECB game at Marple, the fourths lost by 66 runs. Didsbury totalled 171 for 8, skipper Rick Major 3 for 33, Jacob Combey 2 for 32 and Cameron Major 2 for 23. Only Gary Evans with 40 was able to show much resistance in the Marple reply.

It was an inspiring and enjoyable Sunday at Bowden Lane as a Marple eleven entertained the England and Wales Cricket Board Physical Disability Team. Batting first, Marple totalled 234 for 3 from the 40 overs, Mark Makin an imperious 124 not out. He was well supported by Sam Harbinson 40 and Jim Morgan 36. The ECB team were bowled out for 124. A good crowd was treated to some quality play from players of both sides. Former Marple seam bowler Rick Booth, a supporter of the Bone Cancer charity showed he not lost his touch, taking a wicket with his first delivery! Raffles were held in aid of Bone Cancer and also the Marple Cricket Club.

First Eleven Washed Out, but Seconds Win in Extreme Conditions!

Marple 87 for no wicket (19 overs), seven points match abandoned against Macclesfield, seven points.

Persistent rain brought Marple’s home game with newly promoted Macclesfield to a premature conclusion after just nineteen overs had been bowled. This was a big disappointment to Marple, as they had got off to a terrific start. Openers, Andrew Hall (34 not out) and Mark Makin (53 not out) were both in top class touch on what appeared to be a very good surface. When the visitor’s opening bowlers Ian Tait and Jack Ward bowled a full length, there was good carry through to the wicket keeper, but anything off line was ruthlessly put the boundary, particularly by Makin, who relishes batting at Bowden Lane. Makin had the lion’s share of the strike, but Hall was also quickly into position, being harsh on anything short. Change bowlers, Raja and Birchall only got through a couple of overs apiece, but struggled to stem the run rate.

Play cricket link for scorecard

All information regarding Marple Junior and Senior sides including fixtures and results can be found on the Play Cricket website.    

Marple travel to champions Hyde next Saturday with a 12.30pm start. Sunday the 10^th of May sees a Marple eleven take on the ECB National Disabilities Eleven with a 12.00 noon start.

Marple’s second eleven played through the wintry weather at Macclesfield to produce an excellent game in challenging conditions.

The home team recovered from a sticky start with Jim Melrose (64) leading the way. The middle and lower order all chipped in as a competitive score of 209 all out was reached in the 49^th over. All the Marple bowlers did a good job, Andy Baron 4 for 50, Jack Grundy 2 for 48 and Andy Hayes 2 for 34, being the stand out performers, supported by skipper George Clarke with 1 for 50. Keeper Wild had five victims behind the stumps.

When Marple began the chase, consistent opener Will Darby fell for only a single. Newcomer Haroon Ahmed got the side away to a fast start though with a rapid 37 from only 30 deliveries. There was good support from Ryan Lindsay (27), Gary Cash (32) and Andy Wild (30). With 5 wickets down, Marple still needed almost 60 runs, but Tim Radford (42 not out) and Andy Bell (30 not out) shared the decisive stand of the game. Victory by five wickets came up with with just one delivery remaining. For Macclesfield, off spinner, Liam Markie had 3 for 57.

Both sides deserve credit for braving the dismal weather.

The third eleven’s first league match of 2015 against Stockport on Sunday was washed out due to heavy rain.

Rain also brought an early end to the fourth team’s first match of the season at Stockport Georgians. Marple had been in good shape on 131 for 1 after 28 overs.