The visitors, with a number of players unavailable for this game, were inserted by Didsbury captain Nick Anderson. This practise has become the norm in the league this year, with sides generally believing that they are better at chasing than setting a target, whatever the conditions. On this occasion, the Didsbury pitch appeared to be a good cricket wicket. There was some movement for the seamers, and also some turn for the spinners. Also, if the bowler strayed, there was opportunity for the watchful batsman to play strokes, there being some good carry, and short boundaries square of the wicket.
Although Anderson was variable in line and length, his partner White settled well against Hall and Pearson. The latter received a good one which he edged to keeper Leech at 6 for one. This brought in Mark Makin at number three. After some careful appraisal of the conditions, the second wicket pair once again began to make batting look ridiculously easy. White’s early control deserted him, and with Anderson struggling for consistency, the runs began to flow as both players found the boundary with some glorious strokeplay. Maybe there was an element of over confidence from both players, as inevitably Anderson changed his attack at both ends. Off spinner Normanton is a deceptive bowler. Unusually, for the modern spinner, he has a longish run up. This enables him to vary his pace cunningly. Hall, seemingly not wanting to allow him to settle, danced down the pitch, misread the length and was bowled for a promising 27, the fifty having come up at an excellent rate. No panic yet for Marple though, as Makin appeared unfazed, and Wood is normally unflappable. However, the alarm bells began to ring for Marple when Makin aimed a pull at a ball from the left arm seamer Davenport that was too full. He too was comprehensively bowled for 30. When the promoted Joe Cash fell lbw for a duck, also to Davenport, Marple were 60 for 4, and the initial free scoring period was at an end.
Matt Barrow at six was playing his maiden first eleven game of the season. With the home attack now gaining the ascendancy, the omens looked bleak for the visitors, especially as Barrow made several swishes at fresh air, and Wood, not unnaturally, was not at his most fluent. However, catastrophe was averted as Barrow began to play well in support of Wood who once again looked as though he was turning the game his side’s way. Although progress was slow, the fifth wicket stand added 33. Anderson then played his trump card of the afternoon in the shape of left arm spinner Matt Gregson. Once again, Marple became like rabbits in the headlights against this form of attack. Wood (26) was adjudged lbw, and although Menzies stayed with Barrow a while, there was no sense of permanency. A brilliant throw from Hughes ran out Barrow for a gutsy 32 at 118 for 6. Barrow’s innings was a welcome bonus for Marple, and he showed his usual determination, and also hit a lofted a six off Gregson. The only other innings of note for Marple came from Ed Saxelby, who played a stylish little knock of 12, the highlight being a glorious extra cover drive off Anderson when the home skipper returned. Although Marple batted into the final over, Gregson polished off the tail with little resistance to finish with 5 for 19 from 9.3 overs. A final total of 138 looked to be somewhat below par.
When Didsbury began their reply, Menzies looked to be fired up for the battle. He was right on target in the first over, as he found an excellent rhythm, his pace up. The prolific Hughes was beaten all ends up and bowled for a duck. Marple were unable to capitalise on this early success though. Menzies, overstretching himself, then bowled a succession of no balls, and Jack Grundy was unable to find his usual line and length at the other end, even bowling five wides. These extras let Didsbury off the hook, despite Menzies mixing up some absolute snorters, which just missed the batsmens’ outside edge, amongst the no balls. Andy Greasley replaced Grundy, and immediately settled into a probing spell, soon having Normanton (15) beautifully caught by Joe Cash at mid on. Menzies had settled again, and produced yet another beauty to bowl Taylor for 16, and Didsbury were tottering at 47 for 3. It was not to be Greasley’s day though as Marfani and Anderson groped around, and Marfani survived two confident lbw appeals that must have been very close. This fourth wicket stand rode its luck and began to prosper once Menzies was rested. They added 64, with the powerful Anderson being the dominant partner. Menzies returned to shatter his stumps at the mythical total of Nelson, 111 for 4. Anderson (40) had played a fine knock for his side, and any thought Marple might have at getting back into the game were dashed as Gregson capped an excellent day with a rapid 15 not out including a huge six. Marfani was undefeated on 37 at the end as the victory was achieved. Not a fluent innings this, but it was his day in the sun. Menzies bowled with real venom throughout his two spells marred only by some overstepping, and his figures of 3 for 41 from 11 overs did him scant justice.
Marple’s final league game of the 2016 season is also away at Davenham, next Saturday 17th September 12.30pm start.
Marple seonds lost to Didsbury seconds by five wickets in a game played at Mellor’s Longhurst Lane ground due to improvements taking place at Marple. On another difficult surface Marple were bowled out for 106, with Ryan Lindsay and Andy Massey both battling into the thirties. Didsbury decided on an aggressive policy in pursuit of the target, and although losing five wickets on the way, ran home comfortable victors by the margin of five wickets with overs to spare. The good news for Marple was that they maintain their place in the second eleven premier league for 2017 with results elsewhere going in their favour.
There was also relief for Marple thirds on Sunday at Toft, when a last over two wicket win assured them of cricket in the Sunday third eleven premier league for next year. Toft made 145 for 9 with Connor Bergin taking 3 for 8, Paul Roberts 2 for 49 and Sam Stretton 2 for 31. Marple slumped to 27 for 4, but a stand of 91 between Matt Leech, 67, and Dav Tomlinson, 19, brought Marple back into it. A further flurry of wickets had hearts pounding, but Sam Stretton with 15 not out coolly saw Marple home with three balls to spare!
