Wylie Leads The Way On Day Of Double Delight For Marple!

Marple 110 for 5 (23.4 overs) 25 points beat Oulton Park 106 all out (33.5 overs) by five wickets. 

There was hope that the weather forecasters would be correct and no rain would fall during Marple’s final home game of the 2016 season.  Extensive renovation work on the square and outfield begins this week, and the first eleven have three away fixtures to follow in September, whilst the seconds will play at Mellor’s picturesque ground to complete their season. However, once more in this wet summer, rain interfered with Saturday cricket at Bowden Lane.

Although Paul Wood won the toss and decided to field first in the overcast and autumnal conditions,  his opening attack of Menzies and Wylie were not initially able to bowl the correct length for the wicket. Both bowlers overpitched, and one of the form opening partnerships in the league, East and Leech in particular, was able to get off to a fast start. The first three overs yielded 29 runs, and the normally mild mannered Wood must have had his patience stretched. The first of two rain delays then forced the players from the field just after it appeared that the bowlers had found some sort of rhythm.  No time was lost from the game as a result of this stoppage, and after a twenty minute break, it became apparent that further free scoring would be difficult. Although East hooked Menzies for a couple of fours, the bowler was generating some pace, and the ball carried waist high and above to keeper Morgan who was standing 20 yards back. Wylie meanwhile, found an awkward length, and no liberties could be taken with him. Leech was first to go, smartly caught at gully off Wylie for a promising 33 by his old Cheshire colleague Hall.

It was soon afterwards, at 43 for one,  that heavy rain looked to have brought an end to the proceedings. An early tea was eventually taken, but hope of further play looked unlikely, even though Park, in with a chance of promotion, wanted to wait as long as possible. When the elements finally relented, a game of only 60 overs was possible, although the visitors still had the opportunity of batting the full 50 overs. Wood resisted any idea of serving up some declaration bowling, instead keeping his slips in place and using Menzies and Wylie to attack. This strategy paid off handsomely, as both bowlers were still fresh and able to gain disconcerting bounce in Menzies case and movement and some awkward lift in that of Wylie. East (19) fell at 59 for 2, caught and bowled by Menzies trying to break the shackles. After this there was a dramatic collapse. Wylie did not bowl a bad delivery, and one or two lower order Park batters appeared unnerved by the extra pace and bounce generated by Menzies. With the help of two fine slip catches apiece from Greasley and Wood and a brilliant diving effort from keeper Morgan to remove Latham, it became a sorry procession for the visitors. Wylie fully deserved the excellent return of 6 for 47 from his fifteen overs.

Menzies recovered well from an uncertain start to take 3 for 55 from his fifteen. Greasley and Jack Grundy, who took the tenth wicket, allowed no respite, talking the final wicket at a combined cost of 1 for 2 from four overs. 106 all out after 33.5 overs was a below par score in what were testing conditions, but also on a pitch where the ball came onto the bat, and where the outfield was quick.

With just 26 overs available to Marple, victory was by no means a formality. Mark Bennett fell to a perfectly pitched off break from Blandford in the second over, and with Makin unavailable this game, Joe Cash was promoted to number three with a licence to attack with freedom. Although making only 12, he took Blandford by surprise, hitting him for a monumental six over extra cover. Andrew Hall, at the other end, seemed frustrated by the nagging accuracy of Guy Emmett. Emmett, a left arm seamer,  boasts excellent control, but in this situation he “hung” the ball outside the off stump with an 8-1 or 7-2 field. After failing to find the wide open spaces on the leg side, Hall (9) was caught behind by Roberts, edging an attempted off drive. Blandford had not settled, and so it was first change Hyslop who got his side into the game when Cash was also caught behind from a skier to leave Marple tottering at 22 for 3.

In the second half of this summer, Marple’s top order has all at various times stepped up to the plate. It has usually been at least two or three of the vaunted top five that have done the job. With the pressure on, it was this week the turn of Jim Morgan and captain Paul Wood to turn the game Marple’s way. Morgan has hardly needed to play himself in during recent weeks such is his confidence. He appeared to relish the situation facing him here, and he calmed any home nerves with some glorious strokeplay, particularly through the off side.

Wood then smote the unfortunate Blandford for two more huge straight sixes, and Park began to wilt. The fourth wicket stand advanced at a rapid pace, and although Roberts switched his bowlers around, a comfortable home win looked imminent. There was a slight wobble when first Morgan (41) edged Blandford to Roberts, and then Heginbotham (0) was adjudged lbw two balls later at 91 for 5. However, George Pearson (6 not out) showed fine temperament in what were now very dark conditions in support of the unfazed Wood (40 not out). The remaining runs were gathered without further alarm in the 24th over. A powerful square cut for four fittingly from Wood brought Marple a victory that had seemed unlikely during the rain break earlier in the afternoon. Park’s most successful bowler was Blandford with 3 for 57, but he was subjected to some heavy punishment from Morgan and Wood.

Marple visit another side with promotion hopes at Sale next Saturday, 3^rd September with a 12.30 start.

 In the drier climate that prevails over in the west of the county, George Clarke’s industrious and enterprising second eleven got their just rewards after several weeks playing good cricket without a win, with a 140 runs trouncing of high flying Chester Boughton Hall at Filkins Lane. Keeper batsman Andy Wild has been in terrific form this season, and with a score of 109 here, he went past 500 runs for 2016. Although Tim Radford, (13) and Jake Warner (25) gave good support early on in the innings, it was the century plus fourth wicket stand between Wild and evergreen Garry Cash (65 not out) that turned the game well and truly Marple’s way. Cash is still a big headache for opposition bowlers, and he batted with great application during this partnership. Although captain Riley’s six bowlers all battled hard, they suffered some serious hammer and were glad to come off at tea with Marple having reached a formidable 238 for 4 in the fifty overs.

Faced with the unusual task of chasing down this target on their home ground Chester buckled, as Clarke used himself and the wily Andy Hayes to open the bowling. Only Metcalf (22) of the top order stayed any length of time, and it was veteran seamer  Alex Kegg, at number ten, who was top scorer with 24. Chester subsided to only 98 all out with 16 overs remaining. Clarke had 3 for 26 and Hayes 4 for 37, with Andy Massey 2 for 29 mopping up the tail.  This important win moves Marple clear of the bottom two in the second eleven premier league.

Marple thirds were once more narrowly defeated on Sunday. This time they lost a close contest by three wickets after posting 151 for 6. Sale recovered from 39 for 4 to clinch the victory. The excellent Mark Nicholson made 67 for Marple. In Sale’s reply Joe Cannon had 61 not out and Dan Newton 41, whilst Ed Saxelby took a valiant 3 for 40 for Marple.

Marple Just Edge Bizarre Game With Magnificent Makin Leading the Way!

Marple 217 all out (40.2 overs) 25 points beat Tattenhall 213 all out (43.1 overs) 8 points by four runs

Tattenhall boast one of the most picturesque and top quality grounds in the county. Even with a howling south westerly gale and an ever present threat of rain, the ground is one that is enjoyed by players and spectators alike. The club has staged a three day Cheshire minor county fixture this season, and with the pitch having good carry and pace,  and the outfield quick as lightning, this seems to have been richly deserved.

Although Tattenhall are all but relegated to division two of the Cheshire County League after a difficult season, the side, containing several young players of ability and spirit never gave up in this game. Home skipper Sadler elected to field first against an in form Marple top order, and although his opening attack of Johnson and Wilson found some lift and pace in the pitch, Marple have experience and quality in their batting. Mark Bennett fell for 17 at 27 for one after looking in prime form,

but this only brought in Andrew Hall to join Mark Makin. This second wicket pairing made batting look ridiculously easy, as the ball was repeatedly despatched to the boundary. Runs flowed at such a pace that a total well in excess of 250 looked to be a certainty. However, a heavy rain shower meant that seven overs were lost from the game. On the resumption, although Makin and Hall continued in fluent vein, captain Wood probably had a target in mind before declaring and leaving sufficient overs to bowl out the opposition. Hall (49) managed to top edge a long hop from Siebert to backward point at 136 for 2, 

but Wood himself seemed settled with Makin who was in imperious form.

Makin is a player who can make even experienced bowlers look like novices, and in this mood he reduced the home attack to almost despair. Even when Wood fell at 163 for 3, Tattenhall must have feared the worst as the belligerent Morgan joined in the carnage. However, the heights of 202 for 4 proved to be the end of the destruction. Inexplicably, Makin was bowled by the returning Wilson on 98. His anguish at missing out on a hundred was plain to see, and he can hardly have struck the ball better, with 14 fours and 3 sixes in this terrific knock.

 Did the Marple middle and lower order think the game was easy after watching the entertainment? Poor Jim Morgan (29) suddenly found himself off strike and the score 208 for 7!

When he perished trying to force the pace the fun and games were over.  Marple collapsed to 217 all out. For Tattenhall, Callum Wilson returned 6 for 46, a commendable effort, as he had to toil into a strong wind for his eleven overs. Although Marple had been bowled out, they still had the runs on the board, and 52 overs to bowl out the opposition.

Immediately after the resumption, a heavy shower lopped eight further overs from the game. However, with the Marple attack of Menzies and Wylie having to contend with a wet ball and also the strong wind, openers, Siebert and Henry Dobson appeared in little trouble. Menzies in particular struggled with his length, even with the wind behind. He either over pitched or served up some short and wide deliveries. With Wylie battling into the elements, the scoreboard began to rattle along, Siebert being in particularly good touch. With excellent running combined with the loose deliveries being put away, the hundred stand came up without loss. Fortunately for Marple, Andy Greasley settled into an accurate spell with the wind behind him. A smart caught and bowled did for Dobson (34), and Harding soon followed for only five at 116 for 2. The pressure was always on Siebert to keep up the run rate, as the middle order struggled for fluency.  Inevitably, he fell to a fine caught and bowled for 83 when Menzies returned into the wind at 160 for 5. When Joe Cash brought off a terrific catch at deep mid wicket to dismiss Sadler, the game was surely won for Marple? However, the Tattenhall lower order, particularly numbers ten and eleven, Johnson and veteran Mel Dobson had other ideas. Commendably, from 191 for 9, and with less than three overs remaining, they went for glory. Dobson memorably struck two superb cover drives off Menzies to keep his side in the hunt. However, Menzies had the last laugh, when with the first ball of the final over he caught and bowled Johnson. Marple edged it by just four runs. Menzies, paradoxically, bowling with more menace into the wind then with it had 6 for 62, and Greasley, who gave Wood control from one end, 3 for 50 from fifteen quality overs.

This win, the fourth in the last six games, keeps Marple climbing the Cheshire County League division one table.  Next week, they entertain Oulton Park at Bowden Lane with a 1.00pm start. 

Rain and bad light brought an early finish to a reduced overs game between the two clubs’ second elevens at Marple.  The home side batted fluently to reach 213 for 3 from 44 overs, with in form Andy Wild making 46, Tim Radford an excellent 75 and Jake Warner a classy 51 not out. A potentially good finish to the game was denied to the spectators as the elements closed in with Tattenhall on 131 for 3. Fourteen overs remained to be bowled.

On Sunday, Marple thirds lost by two wickets to Alderley Edge, after a ninth wicket stand of 60 brought the visitors the win. Marple, in club veteran Mike Booth’s final game, totalled 156 for 5 in 35 overs, the game having  started late due to rain. Booth shared a 100 opening stand with Lewis Braddock who made a terrific 80. Although Conor Bergin, with four wickets, and Albert Connor two, looked to have set Marple on the road to victory, it was not to be.

This game shows that the league may need to review it’s rules and regulations regarding Sunday cricket. Marple certainly had no quibble about the fact that they lost this game. However, Alderley turned up with only eight men for the start of the match, and then found themselves up to a full compliment as a number of players came along from the club’s second team that had been beaten in the semi finals of the second eleven T20 competition at Chester! How would they would have managed had their seconds made the final?  Also, one of their team was injured in the field, but did not feature on the batting card, his place being taken by another player at number eleven.

One is all for flexibility in Sunday cricket, but with no league officials present to umpire, the game is reliant on the trust and goodwill of both sides. This would not appear to be the case in this situation.

Solid Marple Give Bollington No hope!

Marple 210 for 8 (50 overs) 25 points to beat Bollington 163 all out (46.2 overs) 5 points by 47 runs.

The second half of the 2016 season has finally seen Marple get a run of consecutive games under their belt. With a comprehensive victory over a stubborn Bollington side, Marple are edging toward the top half of the first division of the Cheshire County League.

A dry Saturday was by no means a certainty after wet weather once again during the week prior to the game, but groundsman Mike Hibbert had yet again
produced a good cricket wicket. Marple's batting has looked secure of late, and Paul Wood was probably not too displeased to be asked to bat first.

Although Mark Makin fell early after two previous scores in the seventies, Marple welcomed back Andrew Hall after three weeks away. He and Mark Bennett continued their fine form, and put together a solid second wicket stand, without quite getting away from the battling visiting attack. They added 72 good runs, but both were dismissed close together, Hall for 37 and Bennett for 46, to leave Marple vulnerable. Mr Reliable, captain Paul Wood, came to the rescue once more with his fourth half century in five innings. He batted through from 97 for two, remaining unbeaten on 71. He received good support from Dylan Heginbotham (22) who played some pleasing strokes once he settled in. From a Marple perspective it was also good to see Joe Cash return to first team action. He added some much needed solidity to the lower middle order. 210 for 8 was going to be a challenging target for the visitors.

Bollington skipper, Richard Hough is one of the best players in division one, and he always sells his wicket dearly. The two Dickinsons lent excellent support and an intriguing game seemed to be in prospect. Andy Wylie was wicketless for Marple, but was once more right on target, and was never collared by the Bollington batsmen.

Jack Grundy has settled well into first eleven cricket, and with Andy Greasley back in prime form, the pressure told. Once Bollington had slipped to 98 for 3, Hough out for 43, and behind the asking rate, Marple were favourites. Only Horsfield, with a valiant 48 was able to keep the home side at bay, and when the returning Joe Cash was introduced, the end came quickly. Cash picked up 3 for 7 in no time to help Marple to a comfortable 47 run win. In support, Greasley had 2 for 36 from 15 overs, Grundy 2 for 25, once more taking valuable top order wickets, and Menzies, a little expensive this week with 2 for 67.

Marple visit bottom club Tattenhall next Saturday with a 1.00pm start.

Marple seconds are playing some good cricket of late, but are just not able to get that all elusive win. Once more it was a narrow two wicket defeat, this time at Alderley Edge. Andy Wild carried his bat for 60 not out as Marple struggled to 146 all out. Adit Kulkarni gave the innings some much needed impetus with 30, and Andy Hayes helped Wild add 30 for the tenth wicket. Hayes, with three wickets, was the leading bowler as Alderley battled to 147 for 8. All the bowlers fought hard, and skipper Clark will feel that if this sort of performance continues for the rest of the season, then safety can be achieved.

Marple thirds topsy turvy season continued with a 51 run defeat at Grappenhall. Grappers totalled a formidable 221 for 7, with only Rick Major, 4 for 29 from eleven overs able to stem the tide. Marple's hero in a losing cause was Matt Leech with a stirring 82 out of a total of 170 all out.

Small Margins Leave Marple Settling For the Draw

Marple 208 for 8 (50 overs) 8 points drew with Warrington 218 for 7 (50 overs) 14 points

On a glorious summer afternoon, Paul Wood won the toss at Warrington last Saturday, and he must have thought twice before inserting the home team. The Walton Leigh Road ground has traditionally favoured sides that can put a good score on the board and then pressurise the opposition. Although Marple made a good fist of chasing down a demanding target, an inconsistent effort in the field meant that a total of 219 for victory was just a few too many.

Warrington posted 218 for 7 in the full fifty overs. Although, Wylie with 3 for 51, and Greasley 2 for 39, bowled with skill and determination, a flurry of 80 runs from the final ten overs meant a tough chase for Marple. Once more, the ground fielding let the visitors down, and possibly cost the team a dozen runs or more. This could have made the difference between the draw and victory. For Warrington Stone had a fluent 84, and he was well supported by skipper Rudd with 40 not out and Heaphy 38.

Marple got an excellent start with the in form Bennett and Makin once more leading the way. This week Bennett (50) was the dominant partner in an opening stand of 81. Makin (70) then received good support from Jim Morgan with 44. At 198 for four victory looked to be a distinct possibility, but only three overs remained. Scoreboard pressure told on the middle and lower order, and as usual it was always difficult for the new batsmen coming in to time the ball immediately. Warrington sensed a win for themselves, but in the end Marple's 208 for 8 left Warrington the happier of the teams. Brad Macintosh had 4 for 54 for the home side.

This was a game Marple had hoped to win, but a few loose ends, particularly in the field cost them dear. Next week they are back on home ground with a game against an awkward Bollington side, 1.00pm start.


Marple seconds were once more involved a fine game at Bowden Lane on Saturday. A terrific batting effort saw a total of 236 for 5 posted, George Pearson 64, Andy Wild 45, Gary Cash, 35, Andy Massey 28 not out and Joe Cash 25 not out. After a century plus opening stand from Prince and Wells, Cheadle closed agonisingly short on 234 for 8, with veteran left arm spinner Andy Hayes back in the wickets with 4 for 52. Spin twin Andy Massey capped a fine all round display with 2 for 25.

Drinks and Then Grundy Lift Lethargic Marple!

Marple 139 for 2 (26.4 overs) 25 points beat Cheadle Hulme 137 all out (37.1 overs) 2 points by eight wickets.

A remarkable spell of 6 for 15 from Marple's up and coming seam and swing bowler Jack Grundy inspired Marple to what was ultimately to prove a thrashing of old rivals Cheadle Hulme last Saturday.

When Cheadle Hulme had reached the heady heights of 102 for 1 at the drinks interval, few in the good crowd at Grove Park could have predicted what was to follow. Jordan Potts had supported Taylor Williams in a dominant stand for the second wicket, despite the early loss of North of England age group player George Balderson to the nagging Wylie for only 3 at 9 for 1. Williams times the ball well, particularly through the off side, but also plays well of his legs. Once he got in, the Marple seamers were dispatched to the boundary with ease, and it looked as though a total of 220 plus was on the cards.

When the drinks break came, possibly Marple captain Paul Wood suggested to his team that it might be a good idea to sharpen up. The ground fielding had been distinctly ordinary, and even the normally reliable Morgan had spilled a relatively straightforward chance behind the stumps. What followed can only be described as total capitulation from the home side. Jack Grundy was introduced, and with his third delivery clean bowled Taylor (62) who aimed across the line. It was the shot of a man who had found the game just too easy. Another wicket followed in Grundy's second over, that of Ghafoor also bowled for one.

Jordan Potts had been becalmed on 31 for twenty minutes, and when the wily Greasley breached his defences on the same score, the game was up for Hulme. Grundy was unstoppable, getting late and awkward movement in the air. The last nine wickets fell for just 30 runs in twelve overs. His final figures of 6 for 15 could have been even better but for 6 wides and a no ball! Greasley did not bowl a bad delivery in support, with a miserly 3 for 23 from eleven overs. Jim Morgan redeemed himself to pouch four catches, and his "bag" of victims continues to grow rapidly this season.

With 62 overs available to score 138 runs this game was not going end in a draw! Marple openers Mark Bennett and Mark Makin were in little trouble from the start, although the early overs from Mo Ali had to be watched with care. Makin could actually have been run out for a duck, but was fortunate to get off the mark with a five as the run out attempt went for four overthrows. This quirky start to his innings obviously fired up Marple's mercurial stroke maker. When in this mood, all bowlers are just pure cannon fodder to him. It was regal entertainment for the crowd as a ten wicket win looked on the cards. Poor Balderson went for 24 in his fourth over with six fours dismissed to all parts of the ground by Makin. This talented young all rounder will surely come back strongly, but here he should console himself with the fact that more experienced bowlers than him have received similar treatment when Makin is in this form. 

It was a surprise when Makin was bowled by Beckley for 71, and although Jake Warner was lbw to the same bowler soon afterwards, there was no real alarm for Marple. Bennett (43 not out)was rock solid in defence, and put away anything loose in brutal fashion. Skipper Wood was not going to hang about and his rapid 19 not out brought Marple very welcome and dominant win.
Next week sees the team on the road once more, this time at Warrington, 1.00pm start.

In an excellent game of second team cricket, Marple lost by the narrow margin of just 7 runs at home to Timperley. A total of 224 was always going to be tough, but when Marple had reached 179 for 3, a much needed win looked on the cards. However, in form man Ryan Lindsay fell for 69, after Andy Wild had got things underway with a fine 56. Even with veteran Gary Cash making a fluent 44, scoreboard pressure got to the middle and lower order, and the last wicket fell with just three deliveries remaining.

A superb effort from the third eleven brought a seven wicket win over Cheadle at Bowden Lane on Sunday. Tom Travis and Jacob Combey had three wickets apiece in the visitor's 161 all out. A solid batting response from Matt Barrow, 57 not out, Mark Nicholson, 42, and Matt Leech 31, meant the result was never in doubt.