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.