Cruise for Macclesfield Despite Makin Heroics

Macclesfield 164 for 5 (40.1 overs) 25 points beat Marple 163 all out (45 overs) 6 points by five wickets

Once more, an  inconsistent Marple side followed up a victory with a batting collapse, as even a battling 63 not out from Mark Makin could not rescue the team against relegation rivals Macclesfield last Saturday. 

There may have been some early movement for the bowlers, but Marple’s batting was blown away by former Cheshire opening bowler Ian Tait and the in form Jack Ward. In no game except the earlier rained off game against Macclesfield, have Marple had any sort of start from the top order. Today, it was left to Makin, and some determined resistance from the lower order, to rescue the side from the depths of 77 for 7. Jake Warner made 20, Chris Wood 9 and Joe Cash a cameo of 24, as Marple struggled to 163 all out with ten overs left to be bowled. Jack Ward had 5 for 63 for the home side, being well supported in the field and by the other bowlers.

The reply started well for the visitors, as Sam Harbinson soon had Keen (9) caught by Morgan, and then the big wicket of Nick Bertus, caught by Greasley at slip first ball for nought. At eleven for two the game was very much on. However, opener Peter Baron dug in, and even though Ward fell at 56, and Porter at 72 he remained resolute. Macclesfield skipper Tom Parfett was in no mood to let Marple in with a chance as he joined Baron in the decisive stand of the game. Parfett determinedly struck ten fours in his innings of 48 not out. The fifth wicket raised the score to 160 before Baron (69) was caught by Eliot Young off Joe Cash. There were no further alarms though, as victory came with almost twenty-five overs of the game remaining.

This was a dispiriting defeat for Marple against Macclesfield, although the victors are a side seemingly on the up, having almost pulled off a shock win against Chester the previous week. Marple face champions Hyde next week at Bowden Lane, a 12.30pm start. They will hope that with five home games out of eight remaining, they can be masters of their own destiny this season.

A rearguard action from Macclesfield second team’s lower order saw Marple seconds have to battle to a losing draw at Bowden Lane last Saturday. At 55 for 5 Marple must have fancied their chances, but Melrose (89) and Adnan Khan (48) helped the visitors post a very competitive 224 for 9. Greg Marsland had 4 for 56, Andy Hayes 2 for 38 and George Clarke 3 for 60. In reply, Marple got an excellent start through Will Darby (49) and Haroon  Ahmed (34). However, although a number of others managed good starts, no one else was able to go on to a sizeable score. 188 for 8 represented a battling effort and losing draw points.

Marple thirds continued their revival with a winning draw away at Bramhall.  In the total of 221 for 3, Matt Leech starred with a superb 103 not out, being ably assisted by Jamie Massey with 67 not out.  Bramhall hung on with the last wicket pair at the wicket at 152 for 9, Andy Massey 5 for 29.

Marple fourths suffered a nine wicket at home to Sale’s third team.  A target of 142 all out posed no problem as Sale cantered home with overs to spare.