Marple Crash at Bollington

Marple 130 all out (49.5 overs) 4 points lost to Bollington 133 for 5 (26.5overs) 25 points by seven wickets

Marple were comfortably beaten at Bollington last Saturday in a game where the toss played a significant role in the game's outcome.

Marple batted first in tricky conditions, and openers Hall and Bennett were never fluent against a nagging attack. The ball didn't come on to the bat, and the run rate struggled to get above two per over. Although four of the top five got starts, no Marple batsman was able to post at least a half century. Jim Morgan top scored with 30. Skipper Paul Wood and Jake Warner, making a welcome return to action, posted scores in the twenties. 
With only 130 on the board, the Marple bowlers needed to be right on the Mark straightaway. However, the warm sunshine had done its work, and the track posed few alarms for the home batsmen. Dickinson led the way with a rapid 62 as Bollington made light of the target. James Menzies was Marple's best bowler with 2 for 35, and there was a maiden first team wicket for Ed Saxelby. 
It is back to the home comfort of Bowden Lane next week when Tattenhall are the visitors, 1.00pm start.

An exciting game at Marple saw the seconds lose narrowly by just two wickets to Alderley Edge. Marple posted 162 for 8 after 50 overs. Gary Cash, in top form this season, top scored with 51, David Brook gave good support with 25. Alderley appeared to be cruising to victory, but Marple captain George Clarke has a "never say die" attitude. He led the way back for Marple with four quick wickets, including a sensational caught and bowled. However, Alderley were just able to prevail by the narrow margin of two wickets.

Marple thirds had much the better of a drawn game against Cheadle on Sunday. Marple put up a fine 202 for 5, with Cheadle struggling on 130 for 8 when the overs ran out. 

DOUBLE WASHOUT, BUT MARPLE SECONDS BATTLE BACK!

It was a depressing weekend for Marple, as both the first eleven games were the victim of torrential downpours on Saturday and Sunday. The third eleven game at Didsbury on Sunday was also washed out without any action.

However, Marple seconds had the better of a drawn game, 13 points to 7, against a gritty Cheadle side at Kingsway on Saturday. After being inserted on a tricky surface, Marple reached a good total of 170 for 5 in a game reduced to 39 overs each because of the weather. Gary Cash led the way for the visitors with a commanding 55 against his old club. He was more than ably supported by Ryan Linsday, 45 not out, and Mike Fitzgerald also 45 in a total of 170 for 5. 

When Cheadle replied, Jack Grundy again took an early wicket, as the home team struggled to get on top of a consistent attack. Four further overs were lost to the weather, and Cheadle ended on 165 for 8 in a tight and tense game. Skipper Clarke would have been pleased to see Matthew Shelton back from injury and amongst the wickets with 4 for 31. Also, Joe Cash made his first appearance of the season, getting ten overs under his belt, and taking a vital wicket. Clarke, reliable as ever, picked up two wickets with his testing seam bowling.

Next Saturday sees Marple first eleven visit Bollington for the first time since 2011, whilst the seconds are at home to Alderley Edge. Both games start at 1.00pm.

Super Hall and Bennett Set Up Marple!

A magnificent opening stand of 180 between Andrew Hall (131) and Mark Bennett (79) set Marple on the road to a comprehensive defeat of Cheadle Hulme at Bowden Lane last Saturday.

On another beautiful, sunny May afternoon, home captain Paul Wood elected to bat first on winning the toss. Groundsman Mike Hibbert had presented the pitch and ground in superb condition, and it seemed as though plenty of runs were there to be had. Following up a stand of 105 at Grappenhall the previous week, Hall and Bennett both looked in prime form. It was not as though the Hulme attack lacked ability, just that, in the modern parlance, they could not land the ball in the “right areas” often enough. Youngster Balderstone showed some promise though. The Marple batsmen were severe on anything fractionally off line or length, and a goodish crowd was treated to some flowing strokeplay. Hall’s timing was exquisite, with several effortless on side boundaries scorching the turf. Bennett, rock solid in defence, was brutal in dealing with anything short. The hundred stand came up, and Hall went on to a superb century of his own. Even the wily seamer, Mohamad Ali could not stem the flow of runs, with Hall memorably lofting him for six out of the ground. Just when it appeared that the pair would remain undefeated, Bennett mistimed a drive from Malik, and Williams took a sensational catch one handed diving to his left. 180 for one saw the home side in total control, and with Mark Makin, at three this week, punishing the bad deliveries and pushing singles, the scoring rate only increased. Hall continued to flay the demoralised attack, but maybe a touch of fatigue contributed to his dismissal for 131 at 229 for 2. The Marple supporters gave him a rousing reception as he returned to the pavilion. Paul Wood (24 not out) then joined Makin (23 not out), and took 22 from the 48^th over including two glorious straight sixes and a vicious square cut for four. The Hulme players were relieved as the declaration came at 259 for 2.

When the visitors replied, openers Potts and Balderstone looked in determined mood. However, the Marple attack of Wylie and Heginbotham had to watched with care. Although Potts was dropped off the latter, Wylie made the breakthrough when he had Potts lbw for 20 at 36 for 1. James Menzies was held back to first change this week, and he seemed to have plenty of energy when he came in from the bottom end. Balderstone (12) was superbly taken by Makin in the gully, Williams (1) was yorked and Abbasi was brilliantly run out to leave Hulme in dire straits at 49 for 4. Malik (45) played a number of bold drives, but Qasim did not last long, being undone by the pace of Menzies and edging to Makin at gully again. A brilliant direct hit from George Pearson accounted for Malik at 106 for 6, and when Heginbotham had a deserved wicket, that of Mo Ali (27) who flashed the blade for a while, the end was nigh. Greasley, called on late in this game, polished off the tail in no time with 3 for 8, and a final total of 132 all out saw Marple comfortable victors. Menzies had 3 for 48, and Mark Makin four outfield catches as well as the first run out. Jim Morgan kept the side alert from behind the stumps with his witty observations and smart takes. Skipper Wood also pouched two safe catches.

This was a welcome win for Marple in their first home game of the season. They are at Bowden Lane again next Saturday, 21^st May against Warrington, 1.00pm start.

After back to back wins it was a tough day at the office for Marple seconds at Timperley. A consistent batting display ,after Jack Grundy had taken an early wicket, saw the home side rattle up a formidable 255 for 5 declared in only 45 overs, Porthouse, 55, Brown, 41, and Fletcher 76 not out. Marple never threatened to win the game with wickets falling at regular intervals. Gary Cash hit a  classy 36, and David Brook 24. However, some stubborn resistance from skipper George Clarke with 29 and Jack Grundy,7 not out, almost gained a draw for Marple. Clarke though was adjudged lbw, and number eleven Marsland  was bowled for a duck with one over remaining. The final total was 155 all out and defeat by 100 runs. For Timperley, Fletcher had 4 for 43 and Brown a miserly 4 for 9.

Marple thirds won a great game of cricket at Bramhall on Sunday. Bramhall put up a challenging 219 for 6 in their 45 overs, Albert Connor with 2 for 19 the most successful bowler. In a terrific run chase, Rick Major with 67 not out saw the side over the line with with just three deliveries remaining. Earlier, skipper Andy Gichero with 48, Will Travis, 32, and Lewis Braddock 25 had set Marple on course for the three wicket margin of victory.

Grappenhall Hoodoo Continues, but Seconds and Thirds Bring Cheer to Marple!

Grappenhall 198 for 2 (41 overs) 25 points beat Marple 195 for 7 (50 overs) 6 points by eight wickets
An erratic display from Marple saw them comfortably beaten at Grappenhall last Saturday.

With soaring temperatures and the home ground looking in excellent fettle after extensive ground improvements; it felt as though the cricket season had finally arrived last Saturday. Marple captain Paul Wood lost the toss and was asked to bat first as is now the norm in club cricket, regardless of conditions. The pitch appeared docile, and the new outfield was quick, the ball racing away once the infield had been penetrated. Batting first seemed to be no bad thing, as despite Grappenhall’s defensive tactics, Marple openers Andrew Hall and Mark Bennett shared a quality opening stand of 105. Hall was initially the quicker of the two, and was content to wait for the overpitched deliveries from the accurate Guest and McCabe. Home spectators could be heard bemoaning the negative tactics of their side, but although Marple got a secure foundation, the scoring rate was never above three and a half an over, as firm drives from both players found the fielders. New keeper Osborne stood up to both bowlers, and made some excellent takes, restricting the batsmen’s freedom.

Hall reached a fine half century, which included eight fours and one huge effortlessly pulled six from first change bowler Matthews who took a while to settle. When 55, he tried to guide Matthews to third man, but only succeeded in edging to Osborne. Marple were still in control, but Grappenhall had a new and rare, for them, form of attack. This came in the shape of off spinner Ryan Ninan, who has come to Grappenhall having had experience in the IPL this year. Whilst never unplayable, he gave skipper Roylance excellent control. There was not much turn, but he varied his pace and flight well, always demanding respect. Bennett (47), after playing a secure innings full of attractive drives and pulls, was deceived in flight and chipped the ball to Matthews at extra cover. At 123 for 2, Marple needed the middle order to regain the initiative. Paul Wood (5) never quite settled and mistimed a drive from Ninan to deep mid off. Morgan (21), after a promising start then edged to Osborne next ball. 

Poor Jamie Massey became Ninan’s hat trick victim as Marple were in trouble now at 139 for 5, the two new batsmen both on nought. Mark Makin received good support from George Pearson (13), and Dylan Heginbotham (9 not out), and the visitors reached a competitive 195 for 7 after the 50 overs. Makin played a delightful cameo of 30, scored in quick time, and including four fours in successive deliveries from Ninan. He was caught at long off with one delivery remaining off Burns. Burns appeared to be the home side’s quickest bowler, but strangely did not appear in the attack until the 37^th over. For Grappenhall, Ninan ended with 4 for 53 from 15 overs, and Burns had 2 for 35.

In the home side’s reply, it initially looked as though the target might prove to be a testing one. Both James Menzies and Dylan Heginbotham had what appeared to be very close shouts for lbw turned down. James McCoy is a player well known to Marple though. He wrested the initiative for his side with some powerful pulls and drives, brutally despatching the new ball. However, the determined Heginbotham had his man lbw soon afterwards, McCoy falling for a rapid 35 from only twenty deliveries faced. Greasley was introduced and did give Wood control at one end. However, runs flowed freely at the other end as the bowlers, striving for wickets, became erratic in length and line. Skipper Roylance was never fluent, but in Peter Barnes, Grappenhall have found a more than useful top order player. He was content to wait for the bad deliveries, and play with care against Greasley. The sting went out of Marple’s effort in the field, as the target always appeared well within reach. Heginbotham took a second wicket, Roylance (63) at 157 for 2, but Barnes made a fine 80 not out to guide his side to an ultimately comfortable win, supported by Ninan (12 not out), with nine overs to spare.

Marple are not yet up and running this season, but will hope that the first of successive home games next week against old rivals Cheadle Hulme will bring a change of fortune. Start time next Saturday the 14^th May is 1.00pm at Bowden Lane.

Marple seconds recorded a second successive win, this time at home to Neston. The home attack, led by young Ed Saxelby, always had the visitors in check. On a beautiful afternoon, and with a quick outfield, 154 all out was well below par. Saxelby finished with 4 for 35 from 12 excellent overs, bowled in two spells. He was well supported by Greg Marsland and Andy Massey with two wickets apiece. The Marple reply began well with Tim Radford again batting with resolve, but a heavy rain shower put the result in some doubt. However, Andy Massey continued his fine all round start to the season with 44 not out to guide Marple to a five wicket victory.

Marple thirds began their league campaign with a fine 21 run victory at Toft. Mark Nicholson and David Brook got the visitors off to a solid start, posting a half century opening stand. Nicholson, making a welcome return to Marple colours after injury in 2015, made a fine 71 in a useful total of 154 for 6. Toft never threatened to reach the target, as Marple’s three excellent youngsters, Connor Bergin 4 for 17, Sam Stretton 4 for 15 and Paul Roberts 2 for 40 shared all ten wickets in an uplifting  win.

Washout at Marple, but Seconds Triumph at Urmston!

After a period of weather that must go down as one of the coldest and wettest ever in the last week of April, George Clark's Marple second eleven produced a top quality all round performance to defeat Urmston last Saturday

The first eleven game with Oxton fell foul of the elements, with the Marple ground unfit for play after being battered by the nasty late sting of winter 2015/16. However, the local micro climate and efforts of the Urmston players and spectators allowed the second eleven game between the two clubs to go ahead.

In damp conditions, Marple were unsurprisingly inserted. Openers, Andy Wild and Tim Radford showed excellent application and raised the score to 39 before Radford (15)was the first to fall. Ryan Lindsay then joined Wild for the decisive stand of the game. A superb second wicket partnership of 160 put Marple in total control. Clark was eventually able to declare at 220 for 4 after 48 overs. Wild with 94, and Lindsay 88 fell agonisingly short of deserved centuries.

Urmston set about their target with a vengeance, playing bravely at the start of the reply. However, once Clark and Andy Massey began to bowl in tandem, wickets fell regularly. An excellent effort in the field from Marple saw them to a comfortable victory as Urmston collapsed to 161 in the 39th over. Clark and Massey finished with four wickets apiece. Mention should also be made of youngster Ed Saxelby, who once again relished appearing in senior cricket with a fine all round display. Keeper Wild also capped a first rate afternoon with a superb catch.