Tenth Wicket Heroics Save Marple!

Davenham 183 for 9 (50 overs) 13 points drew with Marple 124 for 9 (50 overs) 6 points

Marple's last wicket pair of Paul Wood and Andy Greasley batted through the last twelve and a half overs to see Marple to a losing draw against a combative Davenham side at Bowden Lane last Saturday.

Although the Marple ground appeared in superb condition, there were some anxious home players, spectators and officials wondering how the first new pitch of the relaid square would play. It looked to be an absolute belter as visiting skipper Hancock elected to take first knock on winning the toss.. However, free stroke play proved difficult as Morahan and Wylie both bowled testing opening spells. The ball kept on the low side, and did not come on to the bat. 

For Davenham, only Sam Hunt, with a first rate 70, was able to really time the ball consistently. The in form Gallichen struggled to 13 in 56 deliveries. However, for the third game in a row, Marple were unable to remove the opposition tail. Hancock carved Morahan for four successive boundaries as an above par score of 183 for 9 was posted. Wylie was Marple's best bowler on the day with 3 for 34. Greasley came back well with 4 for 54 after suffering some heavy early punishment from Hunt.

The Marple reply never got off the ground, as tight Davenham bowling, particularly from Taylor, kept a lid on proceedings. Sambell had Hall brilliantly stumped and Makin and Crisall fell to excellent catches as the visitors gained the upper hand. Paul Wood once again held things together for Marple, and he received useful support in a sixth wicket stand of 32 from Max Fitzgerald, who showed skill and good judgement. However, the dual left arm spin combination of Bliss and Hancock looked to have done the trick as Marple subsided to 93 for 9. All looked lost, but Marple's hero of 2017, skipper Paul Wood recorded a sixth successive half century, this time a gutsy 60 not out. Greasley showed commendable application in batting  38 minutes for his 0 not out!

Marple are away to Weaverham next Saturday, 1.00 pm start. They are in mid table after  three consecutive draws, but the league is very tight this season, and a couple of wins can see the side back amongst the leaders.

Both Marple seconds and thirds were involved in excellent games. The seconds were narrowly defeated at Alderley Edge. Marple posted a very useful 184 for 7, Jamie Massey 33, Mudassar Panchbaya 47 and Ed Saxelby a fluent 28 not out. Marple were undone by former Lancashire opener  Mark Currie who hit a match winning 77 not out. Marple bowlers Saxelby, Clarke, Panchbaya and Shelton all did a sterling job as Alderley  just scraped home by three wickets.

The thirds had a draw at Cheadle. Chasing a daunting 203 for victory, they closed on 200 for 9. Marple will be pleased to see David Brook, 61, and Will Darby, 43, play leading roles. Both have just returned from nasty injuries.

Sting in the Oulton Tail Sees Honours Even

Oulton Park 159 for 8 (35 overs) 14 points drew with Marple 156 for 7 (35 overs) 8 points

The runs garnered by the Oulton Park lower order made for a challenging target as Marple had to settle for a draw at the scenic mid Cheshire ground at Little Budworth.

Heavy rain during the morning and into the afternoon meant that a reduced game of just 35 overs per side was possible between the sides. The pitch had been covered throughout the week and had seen little sunshine. Although flat and firm there was a green tinge to be seen, and it soon became apparent that the batsman was never “in” on this particular surface.

Paul Wood invited the home side to take first knock on winning the toss, and whilst East and Leech got the ball away to the boundary in the opening overs, neither batsman had the air of permanency about them. Indeed, with both Morahan and Wylie unable to bowl, Wood was a happy man when Park slumped to 52 for 3 with the main men, Leech, East and skipper Roberts all back in the hutch. Wood himself, Ed Saxelby and Jack Grundy had bowled some testing overs, and batting looked to be an occupation fraught with danger.

However, a combination of some skill and local knowledge from the lower order meant that a challenging target was eventually set. Mills, Kashif, Williamson and Parkinson all made vital contributions as a total of 159 for 8 in 35 overs was reached. Williamson and Parkinson significantly blasted more than 30 runs from the final three overs. Marple stuck to their guns throughout the innings with Jack Grundy picking up 3 for 18 and Wood 3 for 59. Saxelby was once more impressive, and his figures of 1 for 38 did not flatter him. The fielding in general was of a high order with Makin (2), Crisall and Max Fitzgerald all pouching excellent catches.

For the first time this season, the Marple top order was put under pressure at the start of the innings. Crisall, after another promising start, was caught at point after mistiming a cut shot. Andrew Hall was then tied down by some good bowling that did not allow him any width. He tried to pounce when Williamson overpitched but mistimed his drive to cover where he was well held by East. Makin (28) had looked in imperious form however, with a series of glorious drives and pulls, but at 48 for 3 a brilliant catch behind by Roberts off Williamson saw him on his way. With the pacy Lancashire Academy left arm quickie Ben Gibbon also into a testing spell, Marple’s target of 160 looked a long way off. Marple captain Paul Wood was tested more than at any other time this season, but such is his confidence that he was able to bide his time and become accustomed to the conditions. He was the one batsman on either side who was able to fully dominate proceedings. Jim Morgan, at number five for Marple, looked to be in great touch, but his own impetuosity got the better of him. He violently struck off spinner Kashif for four through mid wicket, but in attempting something similar the next ball misread the length and was bowled for 11 at 70 for 4. The asking rate had now climbed to just over six runs per over, but Andy Massey supported Wood well. The fifth wicket stand added 51 runs in excellent time with Wood now fully in command. A huge six off Kashif and an on drive for four from the returning Parkinson were just two of the many memorable strokes he produced in a fifth consecutive half century of 2017. Although Massey (10) was brilliantly caught by East at deep mid wicket, Wood added a further 18 with Morahan before he was caught by Roberts off Oulton Park’s Mr Dependable, East. The overs were running out, and although Marple ended on 156 for 7, a win was never on once Wood (62) departed. Both Max Fitzgerald and Ed Saxelby batted with skill and confidence to ensure that Marple were not defeated at the end of an entertaining game. Kashif, although suffering at the hands of Wood, took 3 for 44 to be Park’s most successful bowler.

So, successive draws for Marple, but they are playing some good cricket in a competitive league. Next Saturday, they are back on home soil with a fixture against Davenham, 1.00pm start. 

Heavy rain at Marple meant that the second team game with Neston was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Marple thirds made it two wins from three in the Sunday Third Eleven Premier League as they cruised to an 8 wicket win against Grappenhall at Bowden Lane on Sunday. On an excellent playing surface, the visitors were dismissed for 131 with Conor Bergin, Mike Smith and skipper Marsland impressive with the ball. A solid reply saw Marple coast home. Matt Barrow (61 not out) was in top form and he was well supported by Matt Leech (27) and Jonny Arrowsmith as there were no alarms.

Dominant Marple Left Frustrated By Stubborn Sale Lower Order

Cricket returned to Marple’s improved ground for the first time since the end of last August, and despite a cool and grey start, by the end of the day, the pitch looked in first class condition in the evening sunshine.

Paul Wood lost the toss and was asked to take first knock as seems to be the custom these days.  For Sale, Barrowman was on the mark straightaway as Makin, caught on the crease, was bowled for a duck at 1 for 0. With Andrew Hall victim of the early season Marple injury jinx, Mark Bennett stepped up to number three for his first innings of the 2017 campaign. Crisall once more looked assured and managed to get a couple of early boundaries away as Nawaz struggled with his line. Both bowlers had to be watched however, as the odd delivery kept low, and Barrowman nipped the odd one back into the right hander Crisall. Bennett survived a number of confident lbw shouts against Nawaz, and it was only after Crisall was dismissed lbw to Nawaz for another promising 25 at 49 for 2 that he began to look more settled.

Marple’s captain fantastic, Paul Wood, once again looked in complete control, and the third wicket partnership proceeded in untroubled fashion, the Marple supporters breathing more easily after a testing start. Both players found the boundary with increasing regularity, and although Sale captain Greenhough switched his bowlers around, he was unable to find a combination that could put a brake on the ever increasing run rate. As in previous games this season, the only way it seemed a wicket would fall was through batsman error, and so it proved as Bennett played too soon at off spinner Macfarlane and was bowled for an excellent 81 at 177 for 3. He hit eight fours in this responsible knock. 

 With Morgan once more in belligerent mood, the scoring rate did not slacken, and Wood really went for his shots as Marple raced past the 200 mark. Wood is in a rich vein of form this year, and he passed his fourth successive half century. Two huge lofted sixes were memorable, but he hit the ball with serious power in this terrific 88. There was a flurry of late wickets as Barrowman 4 for 63 and Macfarlane 3 for 73 reaped some reward after a hard afternoon in the field. With the ball not really coming onto the bat, a score of 234 for 8 looked to be way above par.

This was apparent from the very early stages of Sale’s reply. Andy Wylie and Ed Saxelby, given the new ball in the absence of Pat Morahan, were both on target immediately. Saxleby bowled an excellent spell of six overs, and he was rewarded when keeper Morgan made a fantastic leg side stumping to remove Wellings at 7 for 1. Lancashire starlet Brooke Guest, at number three, could not get his timing going at all, and the response never got off the ground. At 34 for 2 Guest was well taken by Morgan off first change Wood for just 14, an innings that took him the best part of an hour.  At this point the Sale batsmen did not know whether to stick or twist, and it was apparent that confidence was low. Spells, after a promising start made 31, Macfarlane 32 and Watkin 27, but there was no fluency. Andy Massey chipped in with three wickets, and Greasley was his usual accurate self with a miserly 2 for 36 from fifteen overs. At 92 for 7 it looked to be just a matter of time for Marple. However, Watkin, with determined support from Rizvi, Adams and Nawaz, batted with application and resolve to thwart Marple’s attempt to force the win. 134 for 9 represented an afternoon of toil for Sale.

A frustrating end of the game this for Marple, but captain Wood is gradually forging a strong team ethic, and spirits are unlikely to be low for long. Next week sees a trip to Oulton Park’s picturesque and rural ground in the heart of the Cheshire countryside, 1.00pm start.

Marple seconds had a tough day at the office in an away fixture against Timperley. Marple’s bowlers had a torrid afternoon as the home side rattled up an imposing 266 for 3 declared in 48 overs, Ness 100, Prastka 69 and Howarth 82 not out. Faced with such a daunting target, Marple deserve credit for not giving up, and they ended on 152 for 9 and losing draw points. George Pearson made a solid 40 and debutant Stewart Bass a fine 45 in the reply. Mark Nicholson and skipper George Clarke both both battled hard to score 17 and 19 respectivley.

Marple thirds routed Hyde thirds for just 55 on Sunday. Evergreen Mike Smith had 5 for 21 and Jacob Combey 3 for 14. Marple had to battle hard for the win, losing five wickets in reply. Andy Gichero with 25 was top scorer.

Catches Set Marple on Road to Memorable Win! Super Max 130 Undefeated For the Seconds!

Marple 165 for 3 (25 points) 39.1 overs beat Bollington 164 all out (5 points) 48.3 overs by 7 wickets.

Marple followed up last week’s win at Warrington with an even more impressive performance at nearby Bollington last Saturday. The home ground can rarely have had such a firm pitch and quick outfield in the first week of May despite the cloudy and cold conditions,  and when the home openers, Harri Dickinson and Simon Dunn, got Bollington off to a flying start Paul Wood may have rued his decision to field first.

Although Marple opening bowlers Pat Morahan and Andy Wylie had to be watched when on target, both were guilty of serving up a boundary ball each over. The hard hitting Dickinson, strong on the drive, and newcomer Dunn, were both in excellent touch as the new ball was regularly despatched to the fence. Greasley and Wood replaced the openers and managed to put a bit of a brake on proceedings, despite Dickinson lofting Greasley for an enormous straight six.

The partnership reached 66 before the first of several excellent catches brought Marple back into the game. Morahan picked up Dunn (34) at backward point with a brilliant take diving to his left off skipper Wood, and five runs later Andrew Hall took an equally good one at slip to remove Edgar for just 2. What followed was a horrid middle order collapse for Bollington, as further excellent catches from Makin, Wylie, Ed Saxelby and Bennett reduced them to a parlous 81 for 6. There were three wickets apiece for Greasley and Wood at this stage.

Bollington are, however, a side with real depth to their line up this season, and solid efforts from Tom Leese (29) Tom Horsfield (17) and Richard Hough (21) made sure Marple had to work hard to get through the batting card. Captain Hough was carrying an injury, hence his unusual position of number nine game in this game. The second half of the innings was one of tight cricket, with all four Marple bowlers on the mark, and the home batsmen showing good character. A competitive total of 164 all out was a fine recovery after the middle order’s demise. For Marple, Greasley was on song with 3 for 30 from 15 overs, and was well supported by Wood 3 for 31 from 7 and Morahan 3 for 42 from 12.3 overs. Wylie’s figures of just 1 for 56 did him scant justice.

Bollington had convincingly won their first two games of the season, and having a more than handy pace attack, were justifiably confident that they could cause Marple’s excellent line up problems. Both James Crisall and Mark Makin though, cracked some superb boundaries in the opening overs from the bustling Ward and Dickinson.  Ward looked incredulous when Makin hit him high over his head. However, he had the last laugh when Makin (10) played loosely and was bowled at 25 for 1. Dickinson bowled only a short spell, and it was a surprise that Dario Seale had not opened the bowling. Seale, from Barbados, and having represented the island’s youth team, has some serious pace. He has a smooth run up and when loose proved quite a handful. Crisall (24) had once more looked in fine form, but he became the second wicket when adjudged lbw to Seale at 39 for 2.

Marple have two of the premier batsmen in the league in Andrew Hall and Paul Wood. Both have class and experience in abundance, and today they showed why they are a cut above most other players in this division. There was watchful defence, but neither player missed the chance to keep the scoreboard ticking along. Amongst the memorable shots played was a superb backfoot cover drive by Wood off Ward, and the consecutive pull and off drive by Hall off Seale when eleven runs were taken from an over.  Left arm spinner Plant bowled a tidy if wicketless spell, and it began to look as if Marple’s high class third wicket partnership might take them all the way to victory. However, Seale changed ends and bowled Hall (42) when the former Cheshire man played lazily at 133 for 3. Jim Morgan, at number five, is not a man to hang around, and he gave Wood sterling support. Wood now came fully into his own, as the final 32 runs came in quick time. Morgan (14 not out) struck three brutal boundaries in support, but fittingly it was Wood who hit the winning runs with a lofted four off Plant. This was a third successive half century this season for Wood (68 not out), and was probably the best, considering the quality of the opposition bowling. After three games, Marple are top of the Cheshire County League first division.

This was a terrific victory for Marple against a potentially very talented Bollington team. A seven wicket win was probably the team’s best performance since defeating Alderley Edge at Moss Lane at the end of the 2015 season. Next week will see the side play at home for the first time this season with a game against Sale, 1.00pm start.

Max Fitzgerald, fifteen years of age, played an incredible knock of 130 not out, as Marple seconds chased down an imposing score of 209 for 9 by Hyde’s second team at Werneth Low on Sunday. Max’s sensational innings took Marple to a well deserved seven wicket victory, and put their early season woes to one side. Skipper George Clarke had a stronger bowling attack to choose from and they did him proud, with Andy Massey taking four wickets, Clarke three, and Jack Grundy, who bowled a couple of excellent spells two. Marple keeper Andy Wild hit a solid 56 in sharing a terrific 133 opening stand with Fitzgerald.

Despite posting a score of 205 for 5 at Sale, Marple’s third eleven could not prevent a five wicket defeat in their first league game of the season.  There were encouraging performances though from Matt Barrow 72 not out, Jonny Arrowsmith 36, and Ryan Ellis a ferocious 54 not out. Marple toiled hard in the field, with all the bowlers doing a steady job. Jacob Combey was the most successful bowler with 2 for 59. Luke Greasley also hit the stumps directly twice to give him two run outs.

Super Wood Wins it for Marple!

Marple 247 for 5 (50 overs) 25 points beat Warrington 230 all out (48.4 overs) 6 points by 17 runs.

The old nursery rhyme of “wind from the east, no good for man nor beast” looked to be an apt description of the conditions at Warrington on Sunday.  An easterly gale blew across the Walton Lea ground, and that made life difficult for all bowlers. The outfield was also hard as rock, and fielding was a potentially hazardous occupation.

Once again, Paul Wood, the Marple captain, was probably not too displeased to be asked to take first knock. James Crisall has returned to the club looking rejuvenated, and with Mark Makin always a threat, opposition bowlers must be on the mark. The visitors got away to good start, despite former Oxford University paceman Batey bowling a testing opening spell. It was a surprise when Makin (15) was well held by a return catch from Scholes at 23 for 1. This was not good news for the fielding side however, as the imperious Andrew Hall came out to join Crisall. Hall continued from where he left off against Oxton last week, sharing another century stand. This time it was with a fluent James Crisall. With control proving tricky for all the bowlers, both batsmen were ruthless with anything remotely off line.  Hall produced some glorious off drives, and Crisall uncannily found the gaps with some brutal pull shots much to the frustration of the home side. Just when it looked as though there would be no further alarms for Marple, Andrew Hall fell awkwardly when being sent back when going for a tight single by Crisall. The worst was feared as he lay prostrate. Marple seem to have an early season injury jinx. Happily, after some time, Hall rose gingerly to his feet. It was just a twisted ankle and not a sprained or broken one. However, the former Cheshire captain was discomforted somewhat, and Johann Els produced a good one to get through his defences. Hall (60) fell for another excellent half century at 125 for 2.

Paul Wood is in his element as Marple’s number four. With another good start on the board, he was able to play himself in steadily as Crisall continued his memorable innings. In the first class game, the players get a rest after two hours play, but Crisall, fatigued not unnaturally after almost three hours in tough conditions, fell for a terrific 92. This was a very fine knock, with a combination of solid defence, aggression and some unselfish running.  Another century stand with Wood had taken Marple to a formidable total. Wood hit some powerful boundaries in his second half century of the season (55) and with Morgan and Warner lofting effortless sixes to dent Batey’s hard earned figures of 2 for 67, a total of 247 for 5 looked a distant target.

The Warrington innings got away to a sticky start, with Jack Grundy and Pat Morahan picking up both openers, and only 23 on the board, both caught behind by Jim Morgan. However, Johann Els in partnership with Brad McIntosh, produced an excellent third wicket stand. Almost without playing himself in, South African Els, seven fours and four sixes, showed he can hit the ball a long way like his golfing namesake Ernie. All Marple bowlers were dealt with harshly, as the scoreboard rattled along. Fortunately for Marple though, Paul Wood has rediscovered some of his zest for bowling this season. He persuaded McIntosh (38) to pull to square leg where Crisall took a fine catch, and then had the big wicket of Els (71) with an absolute beauty that pitched middle and hit off! Warrington had been well ahead of the asking rate, but now slumped to 134 for 4. Greasley had been severely treated early in his spell, but he came back well, using his experience as a foil for Wood who had found an awkward length.

Warrington are though, a side with character, and despite having fresh batsmen at the crease they continued to chase the imposing target. Haughton (27) showed little respect for the bowling as Wood shuffled his attack round, and Batey (28 not out) belied his lowly position of number ten in the order with a hard hitting assault. It was to the home side’s credit that they kept on going for the win at all times, and Marple were a relieved side when number eleven Scholes was deceived and stumped by Jim Morgan off Greasley at 230 all out with just eight deliveries remaining.

Both sides deserve great credit for producing a fine game of cricket in very challenging conditions. Paul Wood was undoubtedly man of the match. He was the game’s stand out bowler with a Marple best of 6 for 49 to go with his 55 excellent runs.

A first win of the season for Marple, and they are away again next week with a short trip to Bollington next Saturday, 1.00pm start.

Marple seconds put up a much improved batting display at Nantwich on Saturday, totalling a respectable 178 for four in the 50 overs. There was a lot to be praised in Max Fitzgerald’s maiden second team half century. His 51 was a great effort, and he was well supported by Ryan Lindsay with 30, Andy Massey 33 not out and David Brook 18 not out. However, the bowlers toiled once again as Nantwich eventually coasted home by nine wickets.

Marple thirds made it two wins from two in the round robin T20 competition at Urmston. In the usual batsman friendly conditions at Urmston, Marple totalled a formidable 163 for 3, Matt Leech 79 not out and Joe Yates 38. This was far too many for the home team.