Marple 219 for 1 (45 overs) 25
points beat Bowdon 216 for 8 (55 overs) 6 points by 9 wickets.
Whatever Marple’s fate at the
end of the season, fellow players and spectators alike have enjoyed batting of
unrivalled quality by Andrew Hall in the second half of the campaign. With a
score of 130 not out, and superbly supported by Sam Harbinson who made a high
class 71 not out, Hall’s fourth century of 2015 guided Marple to a
comprehensive victory over old rivals Bowdon at Marple last Saturday.
Mark Bennett’s fortune with the
coin has changed, and after winning a second successive toss he invited his
opposite number, former Lancashire all rounder, Simon Marshall to bat first.
Although Ball was smartly caught at mid off by Eliot Young off Greasley at 9
for 1, his partner Crozier was well supported by Carl Hey. Crozier was the dominant partner, racing
along to 28 out of a total of 44, before cutting Wylie to second slip, where
Paul Wood took a neat catch. Hey was joined by Marshall, and the pair looked to
be in good touch. Hey (23) though was adjudged lbw to Wylie at 67, and when
Patrick Ashling was deceived and bowled for 7 by Greasley at 86 for 4, Marple
fancied that they could dismiss the visitors for a modest score. Marshall, however, was ably supported by
Leathley. He was careful in defence against Wylie, but when Greasley gave him
any chance he pounced quickly, lofting a number of sixes down the ground.
Marple missed a couple of sharp chances, and the fourth wicket stand proceeded
along well without taking Bowdon out of sight. Marshall played a fine knock,
and despite losing Leathley (36) caught by Hall at 201 for 5, completed a
century of high class. The overs were running out for the visitors though, and
Marple did well to restrict the final total to 216 for 8 in the full 55 overs.
Marshall was stumped by Wild for 104, an innings that included six sixes and
nine fours. It was an up and down afternoon for Greasley who was harshly
treated by Marshall at times, but bowled far better than his figures of 5 for
122 from 27 overs might suggest. Wylie performed with great control and stamina
to return 2 for 52 from 20 overs, and Eliot Young, with 1 for 34, bowled tidily
when Wylie was finally rested.
Although faced with a
challenging target, the Marple top order is in fine form at present. The wicket
was a good one, and, as usual, the outfield super fast. George Pearson now
supported Hall well against Bowdon’s testing new ball pairing of Chris Ashling
and Matt Tully. With Hall continuing his imperious form, a largely untroubled
stand of 44 was posted before Pearson edged first change seamer Leathley to
Marshall at slip. Sam Harbinson has found a niche for himself at number three
in the second half of the season, and he proved an excellent foil for Hall.
Such is Hall’s form at present that the ball has to be only fractionally off line
or length to be despatched to the boundary. In fact even the good deliveries
from Bowdon’s seam trio disappeared to the fence. Marshall tried Hey’s left arm
spin, and promising young leg spinner Alec Makin in an attempt to force an
error. However, with Harbinson looking increasingly secure and fluent, and all
bowlers coming alike to Hall, the victory target was in sight in quick time.
After passing his century, Hall took Marple to an emphatic victory with three
consecutive fours off Tully in the 45th
over. There will not be many days when an innings of the quality of Marshall’s
is overshadowed, but this was one of them. Hall, seemingly effortlessly,
stroked 25 fours in his 130 not out to control the run chase, and Harbinson hit
11 of his own in making his highest score for the club so far of 71 not out. An
unbeaten stand of 175 for the second wicket provided wonderful entertainment
for the good crowd of Marple and Bowdon supporters.
Marple face a trip to another
old adversary, Alderley Edge, next Saturday, with a noon start. Despite the
lowly position, there still remains hope that they can maintain their premier
league status.
It was a hard day at the office
for Marple seconds at Urmston on Saturday. On a featherbed of a pitch a total
of 183, Will Darby 49, proved no problem to the home side who cruised to
victory by eight wickets.
Marple thirds had a great day
at the third eleven T20 finals day at Neston on Sunday. In the first game,
exellent bowling and fielding enabled them to defeat Hyde by 14 runs after
posting a modest 119 all out. Skipper Andy Gichero was top scorer with 26, and
Andy Massey with three wickets was well supported by Adit Kulkarni and Mike
Smith with two apiece.
In the final, Gichero’s men put
up a valiant effort, but Stockport proved to be the best of the four sides on
view on the day to lift the trophy. Marple returned home beaten, but determined
to be back again next season.
Marple fourths, totalling 126
all out, were defeated by one wicket by the league leaders in a nail biting
final game of the season at Heaton Mersey thirds on Sunday. A tigerish
performance in the field meant that Mersey had to go the last wicket pair to
attain victory at 127 for 9. Although the fourths will drop a division for
2016, a number of very promising young players will be available to play senior
cricket for the first time next season.
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