This game did not produce a memorable finish to the 2016 cricket season, as Marple ended the campaign as they began it with an away defeat to a mid Cheshire side.
The early overs of the Marple innings were though, dominated by a fine knock from Andrew Hall. Hall produced some scintillating stroke play with boundaries all around the wicket.
Sadly for the visitors, this exhibition did not inspire his teammates, George Pearson excepted. Maybe a makeshift middle order was deluded into thinking that batting was an easy occupation after watching Hall at work, for from the heady heights of 113 for one, Marple collapsed to just 155 all out. Hall (73) and Pearson (55) added 99 for the second wicket, but no other Marple batsman reached double figures as the rest of the innings became a procession on a blameless if slowish surface. Ed Saxelby remained undefeated as he held his end up in support of Pearson.
The home attack was steady but by no means unplayable, with Taylor taking 5 for 55 and Blackie 3 for 14.
Led by South African Christian (58), Davenham made light of the target. A flurry of late wickets gave the score line a slightly flattering look from a Marple point of view. Andy Greasley was Marple's best bowler, seemingly having the ball on a string and being the only one to give a semblance of control. He fully deserved his 3 for 25 from 14.5 overs. Joe Cash battled away to take 3 for 46.
In contrast to the glorious September sunshine, the Marple effort had very much the feel of the end of the season, with the fielding slack, and a number of chances going down. The side finished a wet season, (seven games lost to rain) in the lower half of division one of the Cheshire County League.
Skipper George Clarke, with 6 for 25, was well supported by Andy Massey 3 for 21, as Marple seconds were comfortable winners over Macclesfield seconds at Mellor on Saturday. Marple were in trouble at 30 for 4, but Andy Mummery hit a fine and sometimes brutal 44 to to rescue the home side in partnership with Ryan Lindsay, 37. A total of 150 was way too many for Macclesfield on a tricky surface, as they succumbed for only 70 all out.
Marple thirds lost an entertaining game of cricket at Cale Green Stockport on Sunday. Chasing a huge 243 to win, Marple were eventually bowled out for 220.
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