Grappenhall Prevail in Thriller!

Dogged resistance and then some lusty blows from Grappenhall’s lower order brought the visitors an unlikely victory at Bowden Lane last Saturday.

For a change, warm and fine weather greeted the players as Marple hoped to build on the previous week’s fine win at Oxton. On a good pitch, Paul Wood was probably not too displeased to be asked to bat first, as the outfield was cropped short, and his batsmen had run into some form. However, three fairly soft early wickets put the home side on the backfoot at 43 for 3. Mark Bennett, (2) mistimed a pull shot from accurate left arm seamer Guest and was caught by McCoy at mid on. Next, Jake Warner (1) called for a suicidal run and was sent back by Mark Makin and run out by yards. Makin himself, after looking in prime form with several glorious drives, also mistimed and was well caught at extra cover off the lively Burns having stroked 29 seemingly effortless runs. Once again, skipper Wood was in early in a mini crisis, and he was joined by Jim Morgan at number five. This fourth wicket pairing then produced probably Marple’s best partnership of the season so far. Andrew Hall, absent this game, and Mark Bennett had added 179 against Cheadle Hulme earlier in the season, but here the situation was more difficult, and the bowling generally tighter.

The stand gradually became dominant, as both players kept pace with each other, running well between the wickets and putting the bad balls away to the boundary. Morgan was first to the half century, and when he is in this form he is a very attractive player to watch. He pulls sometimes violently, and times the ball well off the front foot. This makes him difficult to bowl at and also to set a field to. Wood is the man to have in when the going is tricky. Like Morgan he has many scoring areas, and is prepared  to give respect to the bowlers early in his innings. 133 runs were added by Wood and Morgan, and they put Marple into a healthy position. Both batsmen were dismissed by Albert Pennington towards the end of the innings, Morgan for 76 and Wood 68. Pennington was the best of the three Grappenhall spinners on the day, even outbowling the vaunted Ryan Ninan who has appeared in the IPL in recent times. A final total of 194 for 5 was probably just above par on a pitch that rewarded both good batting and bowling of all types.

When the visitors’ reply began it was skipper and left hander Roylance who looked in good touch, with a number of well timed boundaries. However, both  Menzies and Wylie had to be watched with care, and the cricket was tense. Menzies had been bowling in the Old Trafford nets during the week at both the England and Pakistan test players, and looked to be in good rhythm. Both openers were caught behind in the same over, and then in his next over Radage, late in defence was lbw for a duck. The visitors were 36 for 3, and then Wylie got in on the act with the wicket of Ninan, also lbw for 5.

It was a little surprising that Menzies was rested after his spell of 3 for 12 from just six overs, but when Greasley settled quicky and had Bodha caught at short leg by Tim Radford, there did not seem to be a problem. Surely there was no way back from 54 for 5? The Pennington brothers, Albert and Arthur, had other ideas though. They defended with skill, and Albert began to play some fine strokes all round the wicket. Even though the brothers added 53 runs, Arthur (19) falling at 107 for 6, Marple were still hot favourites. Burns bided his time whilst Albert went to fine half century, 57, before falling lbw once more to Wylie who returned for a second spell. From 135 for 7, Burns took charge, hitting Greasley for two huge sixes, and also finding the boundary off Wylie and then Menzies when he returned. With good support from keeper Osborne, the runs flowed at an alarming rate from Marple’s point of view.  Even when Burns was yorked by Menzies for a brutal 55, the momentum was with Grappenhall. Sure enough, Osborne and Matthews both hit out bravely to secure a tight two wicket win with just one over remaining. Menzies with 4 for 52 was Marple’s most successful bowler, but the visitors deserve credit for pulling off an unlikely win after being dominated for two thirds of the game.

Next Saturday Marple visit Cheadle Hulme with a 1.00pm start.

Marple seconds made the long trip to Neston on the Wirral, but were defeated by seven wickets. On a beautiful batting surface 161 was not enough against the top of the league, and despite two battling spells from Jack Grundy, the visitors coasted home.

Marple legend Steve Worrall came out of retirement to help an under strength Marple thirds on Sunday. Also facing the Sunday third eleven premier league leaders Didsbury, Worrall came in at number four and hit 60 memorable runs out of a total of 142. This proved to be no real problem for Didsbury, who rattled along to an eight wicket win.

Marple Show True Ability on the Wirral!

Marple 242 for 7 (50 overs) 25 points beat Oxton 125 all out (44.1 overs) 4 points by 117 runs

At last Marple’s first eleven managed some cricket! The place to be was very definitely in the far west of the county at Oxton’s superb ground.  There can be few club grounds anywhere that can boast such a top class playing surface.  The outfield is like a beautiful smooth green carpet, and the wicket itself was firm and had good carry for the quicker bowlers as well as some turn for the quality spinner. Marple captain, Paul Wood went against the modern trend, and elected to bat first, hoping that his batsmen would respond to the occasion. It was to prove a positive decision.

When Mark Bennett had been bowled by Roberts for 7 and Jake Warner adjudged lbw to Fernando for 4, he may have had second thoughts. However, Wood himself joined Andrew Hall and the pair soon rescued Marple from a precarious position of 15 for 2. Wood showed admirable determination at the start of his innings, being content to let Hall be the dominant partner. Marple’s star opening bat did not look like a man who had batted only once since the 4^th of June. The weather of 2016 has been unkind to Marple, but Hall looked in prime form. Anything wayward was despatched to the fence, and when Roberts and first change bowler Fraser tested the middle of the pitch, they were ruthlessly put to the leg side boundary. Maybe the new restrictions on the bowlers overs in the league inhibits captains, but Oxton skipper Gibson did not introduce former Worcestershire slow armer Choudhry until the twenty second over. Maybe he reasoned that he could bowl throughout the rest of the innings. By saving the use of possibly his best bowler so late, much damage was done to the home side’s cause. Hall was imperious, stroking eight effortless fours, and Wood increasingly began to find fluency, lofting off spinner Shillinglaw over the top when Gibson brought in the field to try and keep Hall from the strike. By the time Choudhry was introduced, both players were in full flow, and the hundred stand came up in excellent time.  

Choudhry did manage to deceive Hall in flight and had him stumped for a terrific 72 at 132 for 3, but Jim Morgan at number five, walked to wicket full of intent. The scoring rate barely dropped as Morgan settled in quickly. Another brisk half century stand was posted, and even though Wood (64) was bowled at 190 for by the returning Fernando, Marple were not put off their stride. This was a first rate knock from Wood, balancing watchful defence with aggression. He knows the old virtue of “getting yourself in” and then making hay. Morgan’s innings of 42, made in exactly one hour at the crease, was a delight. Smart running between the wickets was interspersed with some powerful pulls and drives. Oxton’s bowlers toiled away manfully, but some lusty hitting from James Menzies, who smote Choudhry for a huge six, and some stylish drives from Ed Saxelby helped Marple to an excellent total of 242 for 7 at tea. Choudhry had 3 for 68 from 15 overs, and Fernando battled away for his 2 for 60.

Even with the dampish outfield having dried up as the sun eventually made an appearance, a victory target of 243 is a daunting one. James Menzies was certainly fired up for this game, and with Andy Wylie nagging away at the other end, Oxton got away to a sticky start. Both openers, Gibson and De Brabender, were caught behind by keeper Morgan off Menzies. Shillinglaw and Choudhry threatened a revival, but Menzies was on the mark in the field with a superb direct hit to run out Shillinglaw who had dug in for a patient 22. Wylie produced a beauty that nipped back to remove Choudhry (15) lbw, and Oxton were in trouble, behind the rate and the top four back in the hutch. The home side’s last chance came with the fifth wicket pairing of Crawley and Fernando. Although they posted a fifty stand, the winning post remained a vast distance away. Maybe they did not know whether to stick or twist, as Crawley was bowled for 31 in Menzies’ second spell, and then next ball, Fernando was caught by Menzies off the bowling of Ed Saxelby, who mixed a little waywardness with some useful deliveries in his short spell. The end was not long coming, as Wood switched his bowlers around. Menzies was “quicker than he looked” according to the home players on the balcony, and he finished things off to record a fine individual afternoon with 5 for 33 from 12.1 overs.  Greasley only took one late wicket, but he had to be watched with care, extracting some turn, and also using his arm ball to good effect. Like Andrew Hall, Wylie showed his quality and experience, not bowling a bad ball in his spell of 2 for 20 from 14 overs. This was a very welcome win for Marple, and showed what ability is there within the side when they can actually get out on the field in good conditions!

Marple are at home to Grappenhall next Saturday, 23^rdJuly, with a start time of 1.00pm.

The Marple weather hoodoo of 2016 continued as the second eleven’s game with Urmston was abandoned without a ball being bowled. Four out of the last five Saturdays, and six in all this season, have failed to produce any cricket at Bowden Lane, surely an unprecedented statistic.

Marple thirds were comfortable beaten by 105 runs at home to Bramhall last Sunday. Chasing a useful 192, they could only muster 87 all out. For Bramhall, Sam Baker produced the remarkable figures of 8 for 21 from only 11.4 overs

Another Saturday Another Washout!

The sixth game and the fifth at Marple, out of twelve this season was abandoned without a ball being bowled at Bowden Lane last Saturday. Marple and the visitors, Weaverham from mid Cheshire, each collected seven points. If this optimism is not too pronounced, Marple visit Wirrall club Oxton next Saturday. The micro climate in that part of the world should probably ensure some play.

Marple seconds could not lift the gloom as they were comfortably defeated in a rain reduced game at Toft.
It was a struggle for the Marple batsmen as they could only muster 119 for 5 from 39 overs against tight bowling. Matt Barrow with 40 not out held the innings together with good support from Andy Massey, in form this season, with 38.
Toft found no such problem scoring, and galloped to the winning post in only 24 overs, Akhil Shah, 35, and Paul Ashley, 42, leading the way in a five wicket win. Marple veteran spinners Andy Hayes and Rick Major fought an uphill battle with two wickets apiece in the losing cause.

Rains Have Final Say Once More!

Marple first eleven reached the halfway mark of the so called summer of 2016 last Saturday. Of eleven scheduled games, five have been either abandoned or cancelled, including four out of seven at Bowden Lane. Groundsman Mike Hibbert proclaimed that unless there are a number of consecutive dry days this week, then even next week's game against Weaverham is under threat. Torrential rain has fallen on many days during June this year, but Marple seems to have suffered particularly badly, with the square in a poor state. At least on this occasion, the umpires tried to get the game on. It was only after a third downpour that hope was extinguished.

Marple seconds game at Macclesfield was also affected by the weather. The game was reduced to 48 overs per side, and Marple totalled a respectable 171 for 9. Mike Fitzgerald, a very classy looking number seven, top scored with 48, and he was well supported by the in form Gary Cash, 37, and Jamie Massey 34. Further rain spoiled the chance of a good finish for either side, Macclesfield finishing on 90 for 5 and a drawn game. There were two wickets apiece for Matt Shelton and Andy Hayes.

A terrific performance saw Marple thirds thrash Stockport thirds by 100 runs at Cale Green on Sunday. Mark Nicholson led the way with a superb 75. He was ably assisted by Max Fitzgerald and Sam Stretton who both showed good temperament in making 20 each. On a tricky surface 163 for 8 looked a useful total.

A fiery opening burst from Jacob Combey helped reduce the home team to 29 for 4. They never recovered, with Combey taking 3 for 11, the wily Rick Major 3 for 14, Albert Connor 2 for 18 and Paul Roberts 1 for 7. Under Andy Gichero's calm leadership, the third eleven looked a good team, all enjoying each other's success. A day to cheer the Marple club in this rain soaked summer.


Fingers crossed for some sunshine this week!