Leaders Too Strong For Marple!

Didsbury 163 for 3 (34 overs) 25 points beat Marple 161 for 8 (50 overs) 5 points by 7 wickets. 

Marple lost their first home game of this so far truncated season when league leaders Didsbury were comfortable winners at Bowden Lane last Saturday. Visiting skipper Nick Anderson inserted Marple, openers Hall (31) and Bennett (22) putting together a solid 59 first wicket partnership before both batsmen fell at the same score.

 The hoped for acceleration then became a problem with two new batsmen starting from scratch against tight bowling. Marple captain Paul Wood made a fine 59 though, adding 40 for the fourth wicket with Mark Makin.

 The pitch began to ease, and the relative comfort shown by Marple young players Ed Saxelby and Jack Grundy at the end of the innings did not fill spectators with hope that 161 for 8 was enough. Simon Normanton was the most successful Didsbury bowler with 3 for 34.

This proved to be the case when the visitors replied. Although four overs were lost to rain the victory target was attained in only 34 overs, Normanton once more leading the charge with 68 from only 69 balls faced. Anderson weighed in with a rapid 36 to add to Marple’s misery. 

Marple are at home once more next Saturday when Davenham are the visitors, 1.00pm start. 

In the second eleven fixture between the two clubs, Marple once more battled to an honourable draw, posting 175 for 8 in response to the home side’s 187 for 8. A determined effort in the field meant that Didsbury never really got away. Andy Hayes, 3 for 45 was well supported by skipper Clarke and Andy Massey in a hard working bowling effort.

As in the previous week’s game at Hyde, all the top five passed the twenty mark, but no batsmen was able to make that match winning half century. Andy Wild and Jamie Massey were joint top scorers with 30 apiece.

In a rain ruined game at Bowden Lane on Sunday, Marple thirds drew with their counterparts from Sale. Marple battled to 114 all out, Tom Travis 42, skipper Andy Gichero 32 and Matt Barrow 23. With 29 overs lost to the weather Sale reached 79 for 8, with neither side particularly happy. Conor Bergin with 4 for 15 and Sam Stretton 2 for 19 once more impressed with the ball.

Early Decision Frustrates Marple!

Marple's important game at home to Sale last Saturday was called off by the officiating umpires about half an hour before the start time of 1pm. It was not raining, and nor was there any prospect of further rain during the afternoon. Like all grounds in the county, Marple had suffered bouts of very heavy rain during the week. Certainly the square was not in the best condition, but the pitch itself was relatively dry, and the outfield playable. With a bit of covering of one or two patches on the square, and use of the mopping up equipment, a reduced game could probably have taken place from about 3pm. 

It was therefore very surprising that that there appeared to be little desire to hold fire with the cancellation decision and wait a while. The example of nearby Bramhall should be used here. Even after they had played a prestigious T20 game the previous evening in difficult conditions, a full Premier League game went ahead on the Saturday, albeit not in ideal circumstances.

So Marple go again next week with another home game against high flying Didsbury. With four games out of nine falling victim to the weather this season, things are beginning to resemble the record breaking wet summer of 2012, when seven games fell foul of the elements.

Marple seconds, with youngsters, Max Fitzgerald, Ed Saxelby and Jacob Combey to the fore, held on for a deserved draw against Hyde at Werneth Low last Saturday. A feisty encounter saw Marple bowl out the hosts for 207 in the 47th over. George Clarke and Andy Massey were the leading wicket takers with three and four respectively. Marple made a good fist of chasing this demanding target. However, although the top five, Pearson, Radford, Brook, Lindsay and Massey all passed the twenty mark, no batsman was able to go on and make a score of 60 or 70 that might have brought victory. Ryan Lindsay with 34 was the top scorer, and when he fell it looked as though a defeat was on the cards. However, the above mentioned Marple young players batted with resolution 
and no little skill to deny the home bowlers. Marple finished on 177 for 8.

On Sunday Marple thirds eagerly awaited fixture at Alderley Edge was abandoned at teatime due to heavy rain. The home side had reached a useful 150 for 4 after 38 overs. Conor Bergin with 2 for 43 was Marple's most successful bowler, and he was well supported by Rick Major, 1 for 24 and Paul Roberts 1 for 40. Although wicketless, Sam Stretton, Albert Connor and Tom Travis all bowled well without luck.

Park Openers Efforts in Vain!

The monsoons that affected most of Cheshire did not materialise at Oulton Park’s picturesque and welcoming ground at Little Budworth last Saturday. However, the rain became heavy and persistent enough to bring an end to proceedings with the home side in a strong position, having amassed an impressive 233 for four after 45 overs.

Marple captain Paul Wood won a rare toss this season, and inserted the home side in overcast and gloomy conditions. Any hopes of making early inroads were soon dashed in no uncertain terms by East, who proceeded to crash good and bad deliveries alike to the boundary. Menzies suffered in particular at the start of the innings, with six blistering fours being taken from his opening salvo of four overs.  It was not that he bowled badly, more that East, who had been spotted smashing the ball hard from some throw downs in the nets prior to play, did not bother to play himself in, but just trusted his skill and judgment. Former Cheshire man, Danny Leech, gave unselfish support, pushing singles and was content to play second fiddle.

Wood switched his bowlers, and after the hundred stand came in rapid time, found that Heginbotham and Jack Grundy gave him a modicum of control. Nelson struck as East, much to his annoyance, edged to keeper Morgan off Heginbotham for 77 at the mystical total of 111. He had blasted fourteen brutal boundaries in this innings. When Tomlinson fell at 123, once more caught by Morgan this time off Grundy, Marple were almost back in the game. Grundy bowled his most impressive spell in first eleven cricket for Marple here.  In his seven overs (age restrictions did not permit more in the one spell) he took 1 for 19, and did not concede a single boundary. However, with Leech now coming in to his own, and Mills giving good support, this hope was soon snuffed out. Greasley did not appear to gain much turn from the pitch, and both left handed batsmen scored freely. They added 86 for the third wicket, before Mills chipped a simple catch to Grundy for a useful 41 at 213 for 3 to give Greasley a first wicket of the afternoon. The rains came at 233 for 3, and although a brief respite allowed Greasley a further wicket, that of Hyslop stumped by Morgan, that was the end of proceedings. Leech, finding fluency toward the end, finished on 85 not out, with seven fours and a six.

So Marple suffered a third game of 2016 lost to the weather. Whether they could have chased down an imposing total even on a relatively small ground is pure speculation. However, the side’s away form this season is giving cause for concern.  They will hope that, with four home league games in succession, starting next Saturday 18^th June, against Sale, they can maintain the 100 per cent home record. 

Marple’s second team game at home to Chester Boughton Hall did not get as far as the one at Little Budworth. When Chester had reached 67 for 4 after 18 overs, torrential rain flooded the Bowden Lane ground and that was that. For Marple, skipper Clarke had two more wickets in another impressive display.

The third eleven game at home to Grappenhall on Sunday was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Menzies Pace Lifts Marple!

Marple 178 all out (48.4 overs) 25 points beat Tattenhall 134 all out (5 points) by 44 runs. 

A devastating burst of pace from James Menzies raised Marple’s spirits as they ultimately proved comfortable victors over West Cheshire visitors Tattenhall at Bowden Lane last Saturday. 

Appearances can be deceptive. A glorious June Saturday at Marple, with Mike Hibbert’s ground looking in top class order, seemed the perfect place for a run fest. The pitch had a straw coloured look to it, and the outfield was quick as lightning. Following the modern fashion, visiting skipper Sadler inserted Marple, with early spectators expecting some leather chasing from the fielding side. However, when both Andrew Hall and Mark Makin fell victim to long hops from Johnson, the mood changed. Sadler was in heaven at 18 for 2, with Marple’s best two players of 2015 back in the shed. With Mark Bennett and Paul Wood keeping up an excellent scoring rate, the loss of the early wickets did not seem to be too much of an issue. Bennett looked in prime form. Regularly finding the boundary with powerful drives mixed with pure timing. Wood also appeared in little trouble. The fifty partnership came in rapid time, but the introduction of slow left armer Shewring caused a change in proceedings. This is a form of attack that has caused Marple problems in recent seasons. Shewring seemed to find the correct pace for the pitch, and proved a handful for the home batsmen. Wood was caught behind for 21 at 69 for 3, and with Owen Williamson’s nagging medium pace providing good support, Tattenhall looked to be seizing the initiative.

Bennett was possibly finding it all a bit too easy. He located the middle of the bat effortlessly and appeared to want to keep the run rate up despite the loss of three top order men.  Surely a hundred was there for him, but his aggression got the better of him. He attempted to pull a ball from Owen Williamson that was too full and was bowled for a quality 51.

Marple were tottering at 90 for 4. Morgan was not yet established, and Warner was concerned not to give his wicket away. The pair batted with good sense though and added 39 runs before Warner (13) was caught at slip off Shewring. Morgan (33), who had looked to be on course for a big score followed soon afterwards, adjudged stumped from the same bowler.  He had played a fine innings,full of good timing and placement.

 At 136 for 6, and with two new men at the crease, the game could go either way. Fortunately for Marple, Dylan Heginbotham (25) chose this moment to play his best knock yet for the club. He received good support from Ed Saxelby and Greasley (12) as the last three wickets added an invaluable forty runs. However, 178 appeared to be a below par total. Shewring had a deserved 4 for 47 and Johnson a more fortunate 4 for 31 for Tattenhall.

The visitors’ reply followed a similar pattern to that of the Marple innings. Two early wickets, and then a good stand of 42 between Siebert and Coppack. However, once Siebert (40) was dismissed, caught by Warner off Heginbotham who bowled a useful spell, wickets fell regularly. Menzies proved too hot for the lower order to handle, and he received excellent support from Greasley. The end came pretty quickly with Menzies rapping things up with his hostility. He finished with 5 for 46, and Greasley was in miserly mood garnering 3 for 32 from 13 tight overs. Tattenhall were all out for 134 with fourteen overs remaining.

This was a very welcome win for Marple, and lifts them a couple of places in the league. The fact that it was not a high scoring day will not unduly worry them. They will hope to get things underway on the road next Saturday with a game at Oulton Park, 1.00pm start. 

Marple seconds once more lost a tight game by two wickets at Tattenhall.  Father and son combination, Mike and Max Fitzgerald with 40 and 18 were the main contributors to Marple’s modest 122 all out on a sluggish pitch. Veteran Mel Dobson had 4 for 40 for the home side. When Tattenhall replied, Paul Kettle with 64 not out proved to be the match winner, and even then he needed the support of number ten Brock with 10 not out to see his side over the line. Marple welcomed back veteran spinner Andy Hayes, and he took 5 for 29 from fifteen overs with skipper Clarke equally hard to get away, 2 for 31. 

Marple thirds were well beaten by 8 wickets at Hyde last Sunday. This was a first defeat of 2016 for Andy Gichero’s men. They remain in good shape in the Sunday 3^rd XI Premier League despite this reverse.