Run Fest Then Frustration For Marple at Widnes!

Marple 270 for 7 (50 overs) 15 points had a winning draw against Widnes 193 for 9 (50 overs) 6 points

On the first really hot day of the 2017 season, Marple captain Paul Wood was probably happy to win the toss and elect to bat first at Widnes’s Beaconsfield Road last Saturday. The home side’s pitch was to prove tough for the seam bowlers all day, and Marple’s opening pair of James Crisall and Mark Makin were not unduly troubled as they amassed a first wicket stand of 123. Crisall was slightly the more dominant during this partnership, although he did receive the lion’s share of the strike. Both players though, were in top form with the boundary being found regularly. There were also a number of threes run which did not impress the batsmen in the heatwave, the home outfield not being as short as it could be.

The Widnes seam trio of Moore, Nawaz and Hewitt posed few problems, and the Marple travelling support was royally entertained. Both batsmen drove exquisitely through the covers, and Makin pulled the ball brutally through the leg side when anything short was served up. However, when Widnes skipper Kirby introduced the off spin of Naughton and the slow left arm of Fourie, the complexion of the game changed. It was not as though the ball was turning square, but that both bowlers bowled a testing line and length. They had to be treated with respect. Naughton first deceived Crisall in flight and had him stumped for a fluent 70 at 123 for 1. Before Andrew Hall had time to settle, Makin was also beaten in the air and bowled for an entertaining 52 at 130. For once, Andrew Hall (3) lbw to Fourie, failed and at 132 for 3 Widnes were back in the contest. Paul Wood is unstoppable this season though, and with Jim Morgan gradually establishing himself, the Marple wobble seemed to be over. The fourth wicket stand advanced the score to 170 in the fortieth over before Fourie’s nagging accuracy brought him the wicket of Morgan (21) also lbw.

Now came the most entertaining cricket of the afternoon. A fit and single minded Mark Bennett strode to the middle. There was no respect for the bowlers, just a determination to post the highest score possible. Bennett did not play himself in with care, but was in top form from ball one. Paul Wood did not need a second invitation to pounce on anything off line either. The final ten overs of the innings produced 100 runs in 39 minutes.  Fourie’s figures were dented as he was despatched for huge sixes by both players, and when Nawaz returned to relieve Naughton he was pummelled by both batsmen. It was not just the boundary count that hurt Widnes, but that two players in prime form ran brilliantly between the wickets. A chastened Widnes team were relieved when the carnage was over at 270 for 5, Wood, 53, being caught at deep square leg from the final ball of the innings. Marple’s captain now has seven half centuries in seven innings this season, a remarkable achievement, but he is not the type to rest on any laurels. Mark Bennett (52 not out) could yet equal him, as he has two first rate fifties in his two knocks this year so far. For Widnes, Fourie ended with 3 for 59 from 13 overs, and Naughton a hard earned 2 for 66 from 15.

As is often the case when one side has scored a large total on a hot day, the side batting second invariably struggles. Marple’s opening attack of Morahan and Wylie were fresh and raring to go. Wylie, in particular, seemed to have the measure of the conditions. Here is a bowler, full of skill and experience. He bowled straight, but on a length just short of drivable. He was rewarded with the wickets of Burns and Fourie who was brilliantly caught at slip by Wood. Morahan chipped in with the wicket of Kirby, and Widnes were in dire straits at 37 for 3. However, Alex Hewitt, after surviving a couple of close decisions, added 60 runs with Moore.  For Marple, young off spinner Connor Bergin, making his first eleven league debut, bowled tidily as did Ed Saxelby who did not enjoy good fortune. Bergin was rewarded with the wickets of Moore and Naughton as Widnes slumped to 109 for 5. When the returning Wylie bowled Cain at 114 for 7, all seemed lost for the home team. However, Hewitt had grown in confidence during his innings, playing a number of pleasing drives. He now found a determined partner in Anders. Marple’s frustration grew as it seemed as though there was no way through. Morahan tried some short stuff at Anders (20) who eventually lost patience and was lbw to the part time spin of Makin at 173 for 8. Although Yandell fell soon afterwards, number eleven Nawaz comfortably blocked the last over to see Widnes to a losing draw.  Hewitt, 78 not out, made the highest score of the match, and displayed an admirable temperament.  Wylie, not often a lucky bowler had 3 for 34 from 12 overs. Morahan, hampered by a lack of pace in the wicket battled hard for his 2 for 64. Bergin had a commendable 2 for 29 from his seven overs.

Marple played some excellent cricket in this game against the league leaders. The home side’s tail proved stubborn though, and Marple remain in mid table. Next Saturday sees Wirrall club Upton visit Bowden Lane, 1.00pm start.

Marple second eleven continued their resurgence with a 15 run victory over Didsbury in an excellent game at Marple on Saturday. In front of a good crowd, Marple made a challenging 185 for 8. Max Fitzgerald (35) and Will Darby (27) shared a half century opening stand. However, some accurate Didsbury bowling reduced Marple to 81 for 6. The second team has some resilience though, and Jamie Massey (46 not out) was very well supported by Stuart Bass and Mudassar Panchbhaya as a commendable total was eventually posted.

Didsbury got away to a good start, but another Marple captain, George Clarke with six wickets took his side to a deserved win. He was ably aided by Jack Grundy,  Mudassar and Bass, and also some fine catching from his side.

Marple thirds, with a gritty 57 from David Brook dug themselves out of a hole to post a score of 137 all out against Alderley Edge at Bowden Lane on Sunday. From the depths of 26 for 3, Brook and Lewis Braddock (24) added 75 for the fourth wicket. Despite an early success for Marple in the reply,  Alderley ‘s fine young batsmen George Bell  (41 not out), a Lancashire age group player, and Ollie Pooler (63 not out), saw the visitors to a nine wicket win with excellent temperament and strokeplay.