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.