Marple 239 for 4 (50.4 overs) 25 points beat Chester Boughton Hall 237 for 2 declared (50 overs) 9 points by six wickets
A game which featured two partnerships of the highest class, saw Marple come out on top against reigning champions Chester Boughton Hall last Saturday. There were three centuries in the game, but it was Mark Bennett’s 101 not out, made under scoreboard pressure, that led Marple to a very welcome and famous win at Bowden Lane last Saturday.
Captain for Chester is former Glamorgan all rounder Will Owen, and he had no hesitation in electing to bat first on another glorious late June afternoon. The pitch was hard and firm, and the outfield, now a lightish brown colour, was quick as lightning. His opening pair of Rick Moore and Jamie Crawley, both also in Cheshire’s top order, repaid him in spades. For Marple, Greasley was absent, so Paul Wood opted to use Joe Cash to partner Jack Grundy with the new ball. Whilst this innovative decision did not reap any rewards in terms of wickets, Cash was accurate during his spell. The over rate was also as quick as anything seen at Marple in recent times. A Cash maiden was timed at just 67 seconds, and Marple bowled 23 overs in the first hour!
The batsmen were not really troubled, but this policy of keeping things moving maybe caught them a little by surprise. Having said that, both players played some delightful strokes all round the wicket. This was batting of real quality, with minimal risks taken, and the bad deliveries despatched to the boundary. Moore drove with effortless timing, and the seventeen year old Crawley had time to spare against the Marple seamers. The only way a wicket seemed likely to fall was through batsman error. There were so many fine shots played, but two stand out. Crawley’s on drive for four off Moroney was one for the scrapbook, so aesthetic was it, and Moore’s lofted six over the pavilion off Bennett was notable for the lack of effort it appeared to take.
It seemed as though they would not be separated, but at double Nelson, 222, Moore (123) mistimed an attempted repeat of his six, and was caught by Wood at long on. This same combination also did for Williams, promoted to number three, four deliveries later. Crawley also reached a memorable century (110 not out) as Owen declared at 237 for 2 after fifty overs. Marple spectators had expected Chester to go beyond 250, but Owen had done his homework on Marple’s batting, seeing that it had struggled in the early part of this season. Marple’s three seamers toiled on a pitch that gave them little assistance, but spinners Mark Bennett, with 2 for 56 and Joe Cash 0 for 51 from 15 overs did a decent job for the home side.
So Marple had 60 overs to reach their target. It would require batting of application for a long period to pull it off. Chester do not have the pace in their attack that they used to, but in veteran Alex Kegg and Owen, they have plenty of experience and nous. Marple opted to open with another fresh combination of James Crisall, in his first top eleven game of 2018, and Connor Ramsay. They got Marple away to a useful start, with the experienced Crisall striking some early boundaries off Kegg. Owen, in particular, had to be watched though, and Crisall (18) was the first to go when he attempted to pull a ball from Owen that was too full. The ball looped up to Metcalf at mid on, who comfortably pouched the catch. Mark Bennett, back at number three, looked to get himself established, being watchful against both bowlers. He did, though, strike Kegg for a huge six over mid wicket. Kegg managed to have Ramsay brilliantly stumped by Steadman at 51 for 2 three balls later. Once again, Ramsay (20), who played some pleasing strokes, was dismissed when seemingly set. Makin (1) did not survive long this week, being given lbw to Owen, but Wood looked to build a stand with Bennett. Leg spinner, Jack Williams was introduced in the 19th over at 70 for 3, and the Cheshire man appeared to settle quickly. Owen then replaced himself with young slow left arm bowler Charlie Fleet, and first ball he had Wood lbw for 13 at 80 for 4. The victory target looked to be a long way away, and Chester had 34 overs to take six wickets.
Andrew Hall is a reassuring presence at number six. What team would not want this player of class and experience in such a situation? Whilst not taking any undue risks, he took Fleet for a number of boundaries as the young bowler erred slightly in length. Bennett, meanwhile, was looking more and more secure, and the strokes began to flow from his blade. It was not just about power for Marple’s classy left hander, but there were strokes of real delicacy as well. He swept and late cut beautifully when the opportunity arose. The fifth wicket stand passed the fifty mark, and the sense of anticipation grew amongst the home support. Owen swapped his bowlers around, trying seven in all, but he could not find a way through. His potential trump card, Williams, was switched around, but this seemed to unsettle him. Bennett and Hall seized the opportunity to attack him, and his figures suffered severely in the latter stages of his spell. Once again, there is insufficient space to mention all the glorious strokes on offer. Hall’s placement was terrific, and he lofted Williams for two effortless sixes. Bennett really put on the gas as the victory target came within range. He was ruthless with all the change bowlers, and picked up the variations in length of the spinners unerringly. Marple reached 239 for 4 with nine overs remaining. A delighted crowd, basking in the evening sunshine, warmly applauded Marple’s two heroes home, Bennett (101 not out) and Hall (75 not out). Their superb unbroken stand of 159 came from just 24 overs. Bennett hit 16 fours and one six, with Hall 13 fours and two sixes.
Marple are back on the winning trail with this stirring performance. They remain in ninth position in the league, and visit Grappenhall next Saturday 30th June, 12,30pm start.
Marple’s inconsistent second eleven pit up a spirited show away at Chester on Saturday. Eight players reached double figures in a competitive 190 all out in the full fifty overs. Matt Barrow top scored with 49, and Ed Saxelby had 28. Saxleby (3 for 50) also bowled two good spells for Marple, and he was well supported by the other bowlers, particularly Andy Massey with 2 for 38. The game was in the balance when Chester tumbled to 124 for 6. However, opener Ian Metcalf could not be dislodged, and he found a reliable ally in Maddocks (25 not out). Metcalf finished on 91 not out, as Chester brought up a six wicket victory with just two overs remaining.
A weakened Marple thirds were comfortably beaten by the traditionally powerful Disdbury thirds at Wilmslow Road on Sunday . Tim Radford (46) watched as the Marple top order collapsed around him. It was left to Andy Gichero with 30, Connor Bergin 18, and some resistance from DD Davies and Jacob Combey to get Marple up to a respectable 131 after being 66 for 6. Marple worked hard in the field, but Didsbury got home after 23 overs for the loss off just one wicket.
Marple U19’s lost their first T20 game to Stockport in the North East Cheshire mini league last Friday at Cale Green. After a decent start, Marple fell way from 36 for one, to manage just 89 for 8. On a tricky surface, Marple, led by Jack Grundy, fought hard, but went down by four wickets with four overs remaining.
No comments:
Post a Comment