Premier Status is Just Fine for Marple!

As reported last week, Marple’s victory in the final game of the season at Macclesfield confirmed a return for the club to Cheshire cricket’s top tier after two seasons in division one. The club was last promoted to the Cheshire County League Premier Division for the 2012 season, and they enjoyed four seasons of top quality fare. There is already great anticipation for 2018.

The Premier League is a breeding ground for future first class cricketers, and Lancashire have six players in their current squad who have played in or are still playing in the league. Leicestershire and Derbyshire have also benefitted from the acquisition of CCCL players. The vast majority of the successful Cheshire minor county side also play in the league, and current champions Chester Boughton Hall virtually have a complete eleven of this standard. The Marple club is always on the look out for players of ability and ambition to strengthen the team. Players of all abilities are welcome at the club, as the second and third elevens also play in their own respective premier divisions, with competitive and enjoyable cricket to be had below first team level. The aim is also to resurrect the fourth eleven to play some Sunday friendly games. This will give young players a chance to play alongside some senior cricketers on the best grounds in the county.

The club also runs junior cricket for boys and girls at all age groups. Winter nets will begin at some point during the off season and interested parties should contact Paul Jones on 07850 866057. Marple is also at the forefront of the increase in popularity of women’s cricket. In addition to junior girls’ cricket, it is hoped to field a full women’s side at times from next season. Lancashire Thunder players have visited the club on several occasions this season to help and coach new cricketers.

Photos above of Marple cricket club. The club boasts a superb ground with first rate facilities. Last year the square was relaid, and already the benefits of that were seen with promotion. Currently, the drainage system of the outfield is being completed, and will be fully ready by next season.

Marple’s Miracle Men Ensure Top Flight Return!

Marple 215 for 5 (50 overs) 25 points beat Macclesfield 119 all out (33.3 overs) 3 points by 96 runs. 

A cursory glance at the match scores in this game would suggest a straightforward victory for the visitors at Macclesfield’s Victoria Road ground. Nothing could be further from the truth, as a remarkable fifth wicket partnership of 163 between James Crisall and James Morgan rescued Marple from the depths of 45 for 4. If Marple could win or draw this game, they and not their opponents would be promoted.

Despite a period of more than a week of very wet weather, the home ground was in good condition. The pitch was, not unnaturally, on the green side, but was firm and had a decent carry through to the wicket keeper. Macclesfield’s strength this season has been in the seam department, and skipper Rob Porter’s opening attack of Craig Melrose and Tom Key were bang on target from the first ball. It was Key in particular who caused most problems. This tall young bowler hit an awkward area just short of a drivable length. Andrew Hall had clipped Melrose for an early boundary, but a delivery from Key that bounced a little more than he expected found the outside edge and Tudor took a fine catch at second slip as Hall attempted a late cut. Crisall, at number three this week, got away to a fast start with three boundaries in a rare loose over from Melrose, but the same bowler produced a good one to get through Makin’s defences at 27 for 2. At the other end, Key continued his deadly accuracy, and Mark Bennett was well caught by Tudor again at slip from a beauty that left him. Macclesfield were then cock-a-hoop when Marple’s Mr Reliable, Paul Wood, was bowled for a duck from another excellent delivery. All four of Marple’s leading batsmen of the season were back in the pavilion for a combined total of just 19 runs.

Wicket keeper batsman James Morgan has an excellent pedigree though, having come through the Yorkshire Academy and the Lincolnshire minor county side. Any side in the top two divisions would be glad to have a player of his class coming it number six. His parting words to his concerned colleagues on making his way to the middle were, “a good time to get a few then!” Crisall at the other end had got himself into the twenties with a mixture of fine strokes and several slices of good fortune, as the Macclesfield fieldsmen spurned several chances, some difficult and others straightforward at this level. Whilst Morgan played himself in with confidence, Crisall went through a period where he could not find the middle of the bat, adding just 12 runs in 17 overs! Morgan caught up his partner, and eventually Crisall rediscovered his touch, especially so after removing his helmet and continuing bareheaded.

The first goal of avoiding a complete collapse was gradually avoided as the hundred mark was passed, but Marple’s target of 200 and maximum batting points looked way off. Maybe Porter, possibly distracted by his fieldsmen’s inability to catch the ball, made an error in bowling Melrose and the excellent Key straight through their allotted spells of 15 overs each. The batsmen had weathered the storm and looked to cash in when the change in the attack came. Porter himself was initially accurate when he replaced Key, but the main problems occurred at the pavilion end. Moores was removed after just one bad over in his seven over spell, but after this, carnage ensued with 98 runs coming from the final ten overs. Morgan mixed up some superb timing with ferocious hitting, and Crisall cleared the ropes on a couple of occasions as Birchall and Tudor were treated very harshly, the Macclesfield heads dropping as the 200 was reached. Morgan was then caught at extra cover in the final over for a fantastic 90. Marple’s top six have all produced some stunning performances this season, and this knock was right up with the best of them. Pat Morahan then hoisted the unhappy Porter for six as a remarkable recovery brought up a fantastic total of 215 for 5. James Crisall ended up 93 not out.

He enjoyed good fortune, but joined Morgan in the rout of the Macclesfield attack at the end of the innings. In terms of importance, this innings was possibly his most significant for the club. Tom Key had the excellent return of 3 for 27 from his fifteen overs.

Having gained the maximum batting points, Marple now required just five wickets and two further points for promotion back to the Premier League. When Jack Grundy produced a beauty to Porter to have him caught by Morgan at 2 for 1 Marple were on their way. However, Birchall, possibly smarting from being carted all over Macclesfield, was in defiant mood. Tudor gave good support at the other end as the second wicket stand grew steadily. Paul Wood rested Morahan after six accurate overs, and introduced Greasley. Marple’s master spinner was not quite at his best today as Birchall deftly flicked him over backward square a couple of times, and also cut a short delivery for four. Ed Saxelby replaced Grundy and showed excellent temperament after a nightmare over went for 16. He kept his cool and beat the outside edge with two beauties. Maybe this unsettled Tudor (17) as he then played a careless drive back to the bowler who took a fine catch. Macclesfield were 73 for 2. From this point onwards, no Macclesfield batsman had a plan to try and stay with Birchall. Wood reintroduced Morahan, and his second spell proved to be unstoppable. The middle and lower order were blown away. Birchall continued to attack, but despite hitting a powerful 66, containing some excellent strokes, he was caught in the deep and the game was up.

Morahan demolished the tail with some terrific fast bowling as Marple achieved victory, Macclesfield being dismissed for just 119. Morahan was not to be denied with 6 for 33.

So with this victory, Marple return to the top flight of Cheshire cricket for the 2018 season. Captain Paul Wood has made his mark on the team, fostering an excellent spirit and also real steel. On a number of occasions seemingly desperate situations have been turned into fantastic victories. Congratulations are due to all concerned.

At Bowden Lane Marple seconds were soundly beaten by Macclesfield seconds. For the visitors, Isherwood hit a memorable century, completely dominating the innings of 245 for 7. Macclesfield had a more than useful attack, including former Cheshire opening bowler Ian Tait. Marple were 30 for 7 at one stage, but a defiant eighth wicket stand of 60 between Mike Fitzgerald and Matthew Shelton gave the home team some respectability. This has been a difficult season for the second eleven, but with Upton losing at champions Toft, they maintain their second eleven Premier League status.

Weather Gods Smile on Marple in Rare Favour!

Weather Gods Smile on Marple in Rare Favour!

Marple 141 for 6 (30 overs) 25 points beat Upton 99 all out (20.2 overs) by 42 runs

Marple, being on the eastern edge of Cheshire and on the fringes of the Peak District, are usually victims of any wet weather that is around. On two occasions this season, games at Bowden Lane have fallen foul of the elementswhen many other teams have avoided the rain storms. However, this late season quirk in the fixture list saw Marple make the lengthy journey to Upton, at the northern end of the Wirral peninsular. 

The dark and ominous rain clouds of the morning finally passed over, and with a brisk westerly wind and strong September sunshine drying things up, a game of thirty overs per side took place starting at 3.15pm on what was finally a glorious afternoon. The Wirral does have it’s own distinct micro climate, and in addition, any surface water drains away much quicker than in the east, due to the soli content. Full credit should also be given to the Upton players and members, who were conscientious in their efforts to get the ground fit for play.

Upton captain Matt Owen inserted Marple on winning the toss, and Paul Wood was probably frustrated at having to take first knock on a greenish wicket that had been under the covers during the heavy downpours. With bowlers, Sundve and McArthur on the spot straight away, Marple’s immediate target of 140 for maximum batting points looked a long way off. It was here that Andrew Hall showed his class. He was the one player in the game who used his feet to upset the length of the bowlers. After gauging the pace and bounce of the pitch he got Marple away to a good start, and inspired Crisall at the other end. Both players found the boundary with regularity, adding 46 before Crisall (22) mistimed McArthur to Di Stefano at mid off. Bennett joined Hall in adding 32 more for the second wicket, but was brilliantly run out from a direct hit by Matt Smith, departing for 14. After this, Hall went on to an excellent half century (55) but he fell lbw to the canny slow left arm spinner Williams at 102 for 4, Marple captain Wood not having stayed too long today. 

Jim Morgan and Andy Wild kept things moving well though adding 24 in good time. With the overs running out, both fell on unlucky 13. It was left to Pat Morahan to smite the final ball of the innings for four to bring up a good total of 141 for 6 in 30 overs and maximum batting points. For Upton, McArthur was testing with 2 for 40, and Williams bowled with skill and guile to record 3 for 22 from just seven overs.

After a short break, tea having been taken before play began, Upton got away to a rapid start as Morahan and Grundy struggled to find the best length to bowl.

The powerful McArthur, promoted to open, was severe on anything loose, and of his 28 quickfire runs, 20 came courtesy of two fours and two brutally smashed sixes.

 However, Jack Grundy is full of confidence at present and woe betide any batsman who takes him lightly. After Greasley had found some turn and bounce to have Owen caught by Hall at slip, Grundy got one through MacArthur’s defences and Upton were 49 for 2. 

He then picked up three more quick wickets to leave the home side in tatters at 63 for 5. After this, the back of the Upton innings was broken and despite a cultured 20 from Matt Smith, things fell apart. Marple’s catching was good once more, with Wild taking a towering steepler with aplomb to remove Stowell- Smith and keeper Morgan pouching a further two. Upton kept on going for the runs, but were all out for just 99 in the 21st over. Grundy had 4 for 37, Greasley  4 for 27 Morahan came back with two late wicket to record 2 for 27.

With one game remaining, Marple are now in pole position for promotion back to the ECB Cheshire County League Premier Division. As luck would have it, the fixture is against nearest rivals Macclesfield next Sunday at Macc’s Victoria Road ground, 12.30pm start. Marple have a 16 points advantage, being in second place in the league.

Marple’s second team game with Upton at Bowden Lane was not so lucky with the elements, and was abandoned without a ball being bowled. The seconds are still in danger of the drop, but are at home to Macclesfield next weekend who are also rivals at the bottom of the table in the second eleven premier league. Upton are also in trouble, and play champions Toft in their final fixture.

Morgan Calms Marple Nerves!

Marple 147 for 5 (37.3 overs) 25 points beat Widnes 144 for 9 (50 overs) 6 points by five wickets

A short unbeaten innings of confidence and class from Marple’s wicket keeper batsman, Jim Morgan, took Marple to an ultimately comfortable victory over promotion rivals Widnes at Bowden Lane last Saturday.

Paul Wood elected to field first on winning the toss against Widnes on a glorious September afternoon, the Marple ground looking an absolute picture. On such days batsmen used to like to have first knock and make hay in the sunshine. However, the modern way is to try and chase down a target, and also the newly laid Marple square has proved tough for bowlers to dismiss determined batsmen. It was all on the win for the home team. Anything else was of no use to Marple. Pat Morahan was right on target straight away, giving nothing away and passing the outside edge on a number of occasions.

His partner, Jack Grundy, was a little rusty but did produce a snorter to remove Widnes skipper Kirkby which came back and hit the stumps as the batsman shouldered arms at 4 for 1. The second wicket partnership between Burns and the league’s leading run scorer South African Marcus Fourie was now crucial. Fourie, in particular, put the loose deliveries away as Burns dug in for the long haul. They added 47 before Andy Greasley came up with a beauty to Fourie (28) who edged to Morgan, the wicket keeper taking a very smart catch. From this point onwards Marple assumed control of the game as Greasley, Morahan and Mudassar Phanchbhaya all bowled with excellent control and quality on what was a pretty good batting surface if a little on the slow side. Wickets fell at regular intervals, and when Jack Grundy returned for a second spell, he made up for his earlier inconsistency by taking three quick wickets. Marple’s young seamer has the very happy knack of taking wickets, and can remove good players with his ability to move the ball both ways. Although Burns battled to a determined half century (51), the Widnes batsmen were always on the back foot. A final total of 144 for 9 looked to be way under par. Grundy finished with a fine 4 for 40 and Morahan a very testing 3 for 31. They were given first class support from Greasley 1 for 31, Mudasser 1 for 16 from seven overs, and Ed Saxelby 0 for 21. Although a couple of chances went down, Paul Wood took a couple of steeplers and keeper Morgan had an excellent afternoon behind the stumps with two catches and several fine takes.

By the interval a goodish crowd had assembled and looked forward to a comfortable run chase from the home side with no real pressure on to score quickly. Widnes needed wickets, and Kirkby threw his trump card in straight away, asking Fourie, with over fifty wickets this season, to open up with his testing slow left arm spin. This has been a mode of attack that has caused Marple trouble in recent seasons, there being a number of good proponents of the art in the top two divisions. However, Fourie could not find a consistent length, and Andrew Hall dispatched a couple of boundaries in the opening over, Makin doing similar in Fourie’s second over. The experiment was jettisoned, and with the Widnes seamers also struggling with line and length, Marple’s top class opening pair entertained spectators to some gorgeous strokeplay. Makin was more about power, not being afraid to clear the infield, whereas Hall relied more on finesse, producing a number of delicate late cuts for four. It looked odds on a ten wicket victory as 91 runs containing 16 boundaries came up with relative ease. Now Fourie became the last throw of the dice as Kirkby threw him the ball for a last effort. Immediately Hall was adjudged lbw for a quality 45. This seemed to inspire second change bowler Keen who found consistency at the pavilion end. Makin, after cruising to 40, appeared to lose his timing a little and fell also lbw to Keen at 93 for 2. Fourie now had the ball on a string, with Crisall and Wood both departing at 105. Two new batsmen were now in, both on nought, and Widnes, after being thoroughly outplayed, were suddenly back in the game. As a batsman this season, Jim Morgan has had limited opportunites, mainly in part due to the success of the other top order players. However, he is a player off class and ability. He also has a fine temperament, which he showed earlier this season when making a match winning 77 not out against Upton.

These same qualities were evident again today. With a determined Will Darby bedding in at the other end, the fifth wicket partnership eased any worries the watching players and spectators might have had. Morgan is brutal in despatching anything loose, and when Keen fatally dropped short, he was hammered away. With this stroke, the Widnes spell was broken, and the winning runs were gathered in untroubled fashion. Sadly Darby (6) was given out lbw with two runs needed, but he did a fine job, solid in defence, in support of Morgan. A powerful cover drive from Morgan (31 not out) brought up a dominant win against what was a strangely subdued Widnes team. Fourie came back well with a second spell of 3 for 17 from ten testing overs. This gave him a final analysis of 3 for 31. Keen was good in support with 2 for 30 from nine overs.

Marple are up to third in the league, and are in control, weather permitting, of their own destiny this season. They face the long trip to Wirral side Upton next Saturday with a 12.30pm start.

Although Marple’s second eleven toiled hard, they were well beaten by 107 runs at Didsbury’s Wilmslow road ground on Saturday. Didsbury skipper Qasim elected to bat first and saw his side rattle up 217 for 5 at tea. Qasim himself hit a fine 74, and Tubby (41) and Hussain (45) then punished some tired bowling in support. Matthew Shelton showed his class to record 2 for 32 from fifteen overs for Marple, and Max Fitzgerald chipped in with two late wickets with his promising leg spin.

The Marple reply struggled to get going faced with scoreboard pressure. Stewart Bass with 45 and seven fours played a valiant innings, and he added 30 with David Brook (18) for the sixth wicket. From 84 for 6, the end was not long coming though, and Marple ended 108 all out for the second week in succession.

This has been a hard season for the seconds, with injuries and unavailability. Indeed, skipper George Clarke is out for the rest of the season after having a bone in his hand broken against Chester last week. They are at home for the final two games of the season, starting with Upton next week, and are, like the first eleven, in control of their fate if at the other end of the table.

Marple thirds, under Greg Marsland’s excellent leadership brought their season to an end with a rain afftected draw at Didsbury on Sunday. Didsbury made 136 for 5 in 25 overs, and Marple replied with 126 for 9 after being 99 for3. Tom Travis, 45, and Will Travis, 27, added 79 for the third wicket to give Marple a sniff of victory, but in the late chase for runs, wickets fell quickly. The team retain their status in the Sunday third eleven premier league as a result of this drawn game.