Morahan the Hero as Marple Prevail in Thriller!

A remarkable innings of 43 not out from Marple’s number nine Patrick Morahan brought a one wicket victory at Warrington last Saturday after all had seemed lost.

Marple 221 for 9 (49.5 overs) 25 points beat Warrington 218 for 9 (50 overs) 12 points by 1 wicket

After being frustrated by the visiting teams’ lower order in the two previous games at Bowden Lane, Marple skipper Paul Wood won a welcome toss at Warrington’s tree lined Walton Lea ground on Saturday. His decision to field first though almost backfired, as the home team recovered from the loss of three early wickets to post an above par score of 218 for 9 on a surface that gave some assistance to bowlers of all types.  At 41 for 3, the Marple side probably felt that they were in complete control, with the returning Wylie picking up a couple of wickets, and Morahan showing some welcome hostility with the new ball. If any such thoughts existed, they were very soon extinguished by the home side’s fourth wicket pair of South African Johan Els, and Brad MacIntosh. What followed was utter carnage for nine overs. The Marple spinners were carted for 85 runs as the destructive Els and MacIntosh ran riot. A total nearer 300 than 200 beckoned for Warrington, but Greasley recovered his equilibrium, and with Morahan returning for a second spell, three welcome wickets reduced the total to 144 for 6, but with plenty of overs remaining. Els (61) and MacIntosh (36) will both have been disappointed not to reach a huge score, but the Warrington lower order all showed excellent batting ability. Heaney made 25, Batey an effortless 23, and Scholes and Soni added 18 useful runs unbeaten for the tenth wicket. Marple were probably relieved at the final score of 218 for 9. Greasley recovered well from an early mauling to record 3 for 59, Morahan battled to 3 for 61, and Wylie 2 for 35. Ed Saxelby, used late in this game, bowled six good overs and took 1 for 19.

When Marple replied, James Crisall laced his third ball received through the covers for four. However, when he got another short one from Ashley Scholes two deliveries later, he mistimed the stroke and was brilliantly caught at point by Tom Higham, much to the delight of a fired up fielding side.  In Mark Makin, fresh from a brilliant century the week before against Oxton, and Mark Bennett, treating all bowlers the same, Marple have two of the league’s form players. They played with care against a keen attack, but whenever Scholes or Soni strayed, they were able to find the boundary. Bennett was the more dominant player in a good stand of 54. He played some delightful shots off his legs, but when off spinner MacIntosh was introduced he was trapped lbw for 35.

Paul Wood, in such dominant form this season failed for once, caught at gully off second change bowler Batey for just a single. Marple were on the back foot at 73 for 3. Jim Morgan seemed to be settling in nicely, but after reaching 13, he played round a straight one from Batey and was bowled. At 89 for 4, when Andrew Hall came out to join Makin, it appeared that the fifth wicket pairing represented Marple’s last real hope of a win. After a watchful first half to his innings, Makin began to open up, and brought up a responsible half century as Hall battled to try and find some form. Just as they were looking secure together, Rudd began a fateful over. From the first ball Makin clipped to deep square leg, the ball seemingly on course for the boundary. The Warrington fielding had been tigerish, and belied the team’s lowly position in division one, and now Heaney took the first of two spectacular boundary catches, brilliantly taking the ball inches from the turf. Makin departed for a well made 62, and Marple were 137 for 5. Further trouble came for Marple, as Rudd claimed that collector’s item, a triple wicket maiden, Fitzgerald and Saxelby both departing for ducks.

When Morahan joined Hall at 137 for 7, it seemed that victory was almost out of sight. Almost, for Morahan, with no batting form in 2017, due to lack of opportunity, settled well with Hall. They added 58 runs for the eighth wicket with sensible batting. With three overs remaining Marple required 28 for victory. Heaney then took his second superb catch as Hall (39) was taken at deep extra cover when a six looked on the cards. Morahan appeared totally unfazed though, and with Wylie promoted to number ten with licence to swing the willow, the runs continued to flow. Wylie heaved lustily, and was rewarded with a quickfire 13 including two perfectly placed fours off the outside edge! In the penultimate over Morahan played the shot of the day, a perfectly timed six over extra cover to leave Marple needing 9 from the final over. Wylie edged his second boundary from the first ball, then carved the next ball over point for two more.  He was bowled from the third, a full delivery from Scholes, but then the bowler fatally allowed number 11 Greasley an easy single from the fourth. Morahan , showing exemplary coolness under pressure, crowned a fantastic knock by striking a one bounce four straight over the bowler’s head. 221 for 9 brought up a remarkable one wicket victory against the odds, against a Warrington side that played well above their position in the league. Scholes had 3 for 56 and Rudd 3 for 52, all his wickets coming in that one over.

This victory lifts Marple up to third position in the league. They have home games to come against most of the other teams near the top of the league, starting next Saturday against the talented Bollington oufit, a 1.00pm start at Bowden Lane. The match sponsor for this game will be former Marple captain Bryn Thompson. His brother will also be in attendance to sign copies of his latest book.

In a game that was almost a mirror image of the one at Warrington, Marple seconds lost by two wickets to Nantwich seconds. On a slow and low pitch, Marple posted an extremely competitive 173 for 8 in the full 50 overs.  Will Darby and Mark Nicholson added 40 for Marple’s first wicket, but when Nicholson fell, a mini collapse followed.  However, the Massey brothers,  Jamie and Andy,  both passed the 40 mark as the crisis was averted. With some lusty blows from the lower order, Marple were fairly happy at tea. Once again, Mudassar Panchbhaya and Matthew Shelton posed problems for opposition top order. Nantwich slumped to 30 for 3, but the middle and lower batsmen showed good sense and skill to bring up a hard earned win. Mudassar had 3 for 55, and Andy Massey and Sam Stretton two wickets apiece. Shelton and skipper Clarke bowled well without luck. This game, against one of the top sides in the second eleven premier league, showed Marple’s improvement since the beginning of the season. 

Matt Leech, with a sensational 104 from 94 deliveries took Marple thirds to a superb three wicket win at Hyde on Sunday. Hyde took first knock and rattled up 227 for 9, with Greg Marsland 4 for 62 and Jacob Combey 3 for 32 being excellent for Marple. In a terrific run chase of 228 for 7, Leech was aided by Joe Yates 31, Jonny Arrowsmith 22 and Jacob Combey 17 not out from 7 deliveries to see it through with one ball to spare! Three incredible games for the Marple teams. 

World Champs at Marple!

A Marple eleven will play two T20 games against World Champions the England Physically Disabled side next Sunday, 23^rd May. The games will start at 10.30am and 2.30pm, with the bar open for food and hot and cold drinks throughout the day

Dilip Vengsarkar’s Indian Under 19’s Academy at Marple

Next Monday, 24^th July sees former Indian test great Dilip Vengsarkar bring his Under 19 Academy side to Marple. They will play a 45 over game against the Cheshire Academy IX. The game is due to start at 11.00am. This is a unique opportunity to see some potential Indian stars of the future at a terrific club venue in the local area.