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.