Perfect Partnership Puts Marple in Position!

Marple 210 for 3 (46.3 overs) 25 points beat Urmston 209 for 5 (50 overs) 9 points by seven wickets

A remarkable partnership of the highest quality between Mark Bennett and Paul Wood of 193 runs unbroken took Marple to victory at Urmston last Saturday.

Urmston’s suburban ground looked absolutely immaculate in the late August sunshine. The outfield was like a green carpet and it is hard to think of any ground looking in better condition. It is no wonder that Lancashire use this superb facility for some second team games. The pitch itself had a tinge of green, but was very firm, and bowlers of all types had to work hard for any success. Home skipper Callum Turner, the Lancashire second team batsman, elected to bat first on winning toss. He probably hoped that he would be able to bat Marple out of the game in the favourable conditions.

Marple’s opening attack of Morahan and Saxelby did not bowl badly, but the margin for error was very small. Turner and more particularly Ness got the home side away to a fast start. However, after posting 50 fairly trouble free runs, Ness was deceived in the air by first change bowler Greasley and bowled for 33. Marple’s senior off spinner came back well from a horror first over which saw a wide and a huge six hoisted by Ness. Greasley also accounted for Turner (26), lbw, 15 runs later. The third wicket pairing of Thomas and Jackson gradually settled and added a further 63 runs, but Marple had dragged back the scoring rate. Both players will have been disappointed to get out at the same score of 128, Thomas brilliantly caught and bowled by part time spinner Makin, for 33 and Jackson for 25. Fortunately for Urmston though, Furkan Hassan a 19 year old Sheffield University student, was in control from the start of his innings. He made an excellent 50 not out, timing the ball well and also clearing the ropes on a couple of occasions.  A final score of 209 for 5 was possibly a few under par, but would certainly require Marple to bat well if victory was to be achieved. Andy Greasley was Marple’s most successful bowler with 3 for 47, and Pat Morahan did an excellent job, being unlucky not to take a wicket. He beat the outside edge regularly and had a sharp slip chance put down.  Joel Greasley also made a promising first team debut, and part time spinners Makin and Bennett picked up a late wicket apiece.

Urmston have some very good young cricketers in their ranks, and the opening attack of Espley and Dominic Ashling had to be watched. After Mark Makin clipped a couple of boundaries away in the opening over, disaster struck for Marple as Ashling took the wickets of Andrew Hall (1) and James Crisall (0) with the his first two deliveries! Mark Bennett averted the hat trick, but Makin was smartly held by Ness at mid off of Espley soon afterwards when he mistimed a drive. At 17 for for 3 the winning post suddenly seemed on the distant horizon.  Now Marple’s hero of 2017 captain Paul Wood came out to join Bennett. Wood has been struggling with a calf injury in recent weeks, but he put this out of his mind as he determinedly got himself established. Bennett has also been in top form this season, and little by little these two high class batsmen got Marple back into the contest. At first they were content to rotate the strike and put the occasional loose delivery away, not taking any undue risks.

  However, Urmston spinners Grindley and Callum Turner found control increasingly difficult as the batsmen began to dominate. The fifty and hundred partnerships were passed, and although the home attack did not wilt, there was an air of inevitability about Marple’s progress. The ball hardly ever passed the bat and both players combined beautiful timing with some power hitting. Spectators were given a real treat as the ball sped across the lush green turf. Bennett had a touch of the nervous nineties, being dropped on 99, but stroked the winning run, and finished 100 not out. Paul Wood ended 93 not out, his tenth half century of the season, and the partnership of 193*was one of highest and best in the history of Marple Cricket Club. The wicket was good and the outfield fast, but this was a run chase from the very top drawer.

This win, and with results elsewhere going Marple’s way, means that they are now in control of their own destiny this season whilst in fourth position in the league. Next week they entertain second placed Widnes at Bowden Lane with a 12.30pm start.

 Marple seconds were defeated by six wickets at home to Chester Boughton Hall. On an excellent pitch 108 all out was nowhere near enough. David Brook and the returning Gary Cash and Ryan Lindsay all reached the twenties but could not go on. Despite a determined effort in the field, Chester were comfortable winners.

A weakened Marple third team put up a spirited display against Cheadle at Bowden Lane on Sunday. Jonny Arrowsmith, (87) and Lewis Braddock (46) got Marple away to a terrific start, and the rest of the order chipped in to take Marple to 199 for 6 at tea. Cheadle were patient in reply, and Marple’s young attack, especially Sam Stretton and Peter Withers bowled well. However, some late hitting brought up a five wicket win for the visitors with two overs remaining.

Tropical Rainfall Scuppers Marple!

Three days of monsoon like rainfall in the east and north east of the county meant that Marple's key game against relegation doomed Weaverham was abandoned without a ball being bowled last Saturday.
The newly laid square and the wicket itself were well protected against the elements and appeared to be in great shape. However, despite the best efforts of the groundsman Mike Hibbert, the Marple players and helpers, a final heavy rain shower at around 2.30pm put paid to any hope of play.

With other games affecting the top of the table escaping the deluge, results did not go Marple's way on Saturday. The team now lie in fifth place, and will rely on other teams to slip up if promotion to the top flight is to be achieved. Next week they travel to unpredictable Urmston, a side assured of mid table mediocrity this season.

There was welcome other news though with vital victories for both the seconds and third teams away from home.
A five wicket haul from Matthew Shelton sent Tattenhall seconds on their way for just 70 runs over in the west of the county. In reply, Marple were never under pressure and coasted home by eight wickets.

The third team produced a terrific performance to beat Alderley Edge at Moss Lane on Sunday. Alderley were pegged back from 74 for 1, with Andy Gichero 3 for 24, and skipper Greg Marsland 3 for 38. Connor Bergin also produced a superb spell of 2 for 30 from twelve overs to help swing the game in the visitors' direction.
Chasing 169 for victory, Matt Leech once more led the way for Marple with 57. The crucial partnership came later though, as Dav Tomlinson, 36 not out, and Tom Travis 35, added 60 vital runs for the sixth wicket. Marple finished on 169 for 7.

Vintage Greasley Master Class Does for Davenham!

Marple 148 all out (49.4 overs) 25 points beat Davenham 127 all out (38.2 overs) 5 points by 21 runs

A superb spell of off spin bowling from Marple’s evergreen master Andy Greasley brought Marple a hard earned victory at second placed Davenham last Saturday.

Once again, Paul Wood lost the toss and was asked to bat first as is the norm in most games of club cricket these days. However, the Davenham wicket was no batsman’s paradise. The bounce was uneven, and the ball did not come onto the bat. Marple’s openers Andrew Hall and Mark Makin had added 139 the previous week, but here they put together a vital 40 runs for the first wicket in testing conditions.

Some deliveries, particularly from first change seamer Hunt were keeping low, and Gough got one or two to lift awkwardly from a length. It took a good delivery to account for Makin when he was bowled for 21 by Blackie. Hall was somewhat troubled with a niggling injury, but kept going, being severe on Hancock when the home skipper replaced Blackie. Will Darby (10) chipped a simple catch to mid wicket off Hunt, and when Hall fell for the game’s top score of 42 (nine fours) at 81 for 3, Davenham were back in the game. Paul Wood (17), also hampered with injury, and Jim Morgan (12) added 25 not entirely trouble free runs, but both fell at the same score of 106. The rest of the innings saw several batsmen gift their wickets in the chase for runs, but Jake Warner (19) stood firm. His last wicket stand of 15 with Greasley was to prove invaluable for Marple. 148 all out might not sound a big score, but batting was never easy against Hunt and the twin slow arm attack of Hancock and Bliss, who was the most successful bowler with 4 for 23 from 11 overs.

With a modest total to defend it was imperative that Marple gave nothing away at the start of the reply. However, a mixture of some loose deliveries, good batting and the fast outfield saw Davenham get away to a flying start in the chase. Greaves dropped anchor whilst Gough went for his shots. 58 runs came up in quick time, but Greasley had caused both batsmen some problems when he came on, although he did not initially pick up a wicket. Gough (40) lost patience though, and clipped the ball firmly to Wood who took a sharp catch.  Maybe the middle order was over confident, but star men Gallichan (1) and Hunt (0) lasted a mere six deliveries between them, both undone by Greasley’s guile. From 66 for 3, Davenham looked completely at sea against Greasley, and with Morahan settling into a tighter second spell the runs dried up. The collapse was gradual but had an air of inevitability about it, despite Hornby (15) trying to hold one end up. The game looked up for Davenham at 107 for 9, but Bliss and injured keeper Freedman added 20 frantic runs for the last wicket  to give the home team a sniff of victory. Wood then reintroduced Ed Saxelby who produced an absolute beauty to bowl Bliss at 127 all out and calm Marple nerves. Greasley had a terrific 6 for 42, with most of the runs coming from just two overs! He was well supported in the end by Morahan 2 for 28, Mudassar Panchbhaya 1 for 21 and Ed Saxelby 1 for 21.

Marple are now up to fourth in the league. Next Saturday they will hope for fine weather as the visitors are bottom club Weaverham, almost certainly doomed to relegation, 1.00pm start time.

Marple seconds had a tough afternoon at home to Alderley Edge. Two dubious early lbw decisions put Marple on the back foot at 0 for two, and despite the Massey brothers and Stuart Bass reaching the twenties, a modest score of only 93 was posted. Despite a gutsy effort from Marple in the field, Alderley emerged winners by six wickets with overs to spare.

Marple thirds hung on for a draw against Nantwich thirds at Bowden Lane on Sunday.

Marple Humble Leaders!

Marple 200 for 6 (50 overs) 25 points beat Oulton Park 93 all out (29.3 overs) 2 points by 107 runs

League leaders Oulton Park became the latest side to discover that chasing a target at Bowden Lane has a become a difficult occupation this season. 

After winning the toss and asking Marple to bat, Park were no doubt pretty happy at the drinks break. Andrew Hall and Mark Makin had struggled to time the ball against the nagging attack of Parkinson and Hards. With a run rate of not much above two an over, there were a few anxious eyes on the scoreboard from the home players and spectators. However, the key statistic was no wickets down. Hall began to find his touch first, and change bowlers Kashif and East began to suffer some heavy punishment. The opening stand reached 139 before Hall fell to East for a terrific 82. Although Morgan went two balls later for a duck, Makin now came into his own, with Wood quickly finding his from in support. Makin was run out for 70 at 167 for 3, the overs running out, but Andy Wild (11) and Wood (26*) added 28 in rapid time. A final total of 200 for 6 was an excellent effort against an awkward attack. East had 3 wickets but was expensive, his 8 overs costing 51 runs.

Marple's young swing and seam bowler Jack Grundy relishes playing against Oulton Park, and he set things rolling in the field for Marple. He removed East for 1, Begg for 0 and then Cheshire opener Danny Leech for 1. When Pat Morahan also bowled skipper Pat Roberts for a duck, Park were in total disarray at 4 for 4! There was to be no recovery for Park today. Wickets fell at regular intervals, and although Lancashire Academy starlet Ben Gibbon with 34, and Parkinson 24, added 32 for the ninth wicket, Marple were not to be denied. Grundy had 3 for 16, and Morahan 4 for 8 from nine overs. Morahan has shown an increased awareness of how to bowl in English conditions in recent weeks, and here he gained deserved reward. Greasley, with 2 for 27 and Mudassar Phanchbhaya 1 for 29 were good in support for Marple.

In producing the best and most complete all round performance of the season, Marple with have renewed confidence for next week's visit to second placed Davenham, who themselves were beaten by lowly Sale. The league is now extremely tight, with promotion spots up for grabs for two of the top six after a topsy turvy weekend of results.

Marple seconds, decimated by injury and unavailability made the long trip to Neston but were defeated by ten wickets.