The summer of 2018 is beginning to resemble that of 1976, with parched cricket grounds, although a minister for drought has not yet been appointed! The Grappenhall ground was a burnt yellowish brown in colour as home skipper Adam Roylance did the only sensible thing by electing to bat first. In addition to temperatures in the high twenties, there was a strong, hot and dry easterly wind, which was not cooling, but added to the discomfiture of players and umpires.
Marple's overseas quick bowler Dylan Moroney might have recognised the conditions, but his attempts to test out the middle of the pitch only helped Grappenhall get off to a flying start as Roylance cracked a number of early boundaries off the back foot. Jack Grundy was more accurate, but Paul Wood, who replaced Moroney after a couple of overs, also found control difficult. The opening pair rattled up 74 runs in quick time, before Barnes was smartly taken by Grundy for 22 at square leg off Greasley, who had begun to tie up one end, much to Wood's relief. Roylance passed a fine half century, but at 58, he played a lazy, possibly tired drive to Greasley and Wood took another good catch at mid off. Of the home middle order, only Albert Pennington suggested any permanency. He played a number of pleasant strokes before he too lost patience to Greasley, and Wood took another catch.
Marple's second off spinner, Mark Bennett, started off his spell well, but Wood replaced him with Ed Saxelby. Marple's up and coming young seam bowler delivered a more than useful short spell, picking up three quick wickets. Only a loss of control in his final over spoiled fine figures of 3 for 38. At 132 for 6, a well under par score looked on the cards. However, wicket batsman Dan Osborne showed style and class at number 8. With good support from the lower order, he saw off Greasley, and picked up runs when the chance came. He ensured that Grappenhall batted the full 55 overs, and reached a competitive 212 for 9. He made a valuable 43 not out, even though Moroney's pace was a problem for his partners when Marple's Aussie returned. Greasley bowled beautifully. He was hit for just one boundary in 17 overs, and returned a remarkable 3 for 11. Bennett was useful with 2 for 75 from 16 overs.
Grappenhall had a raw and inexperienced opening attack for this game, but Aaron McCabe in particular looks a fine prospect. He has a good strong action, is quick enough, and with wickets in the bag this season already, deserves respect. He had James Crisall caught behind for 2 in his first over. With Roylance instructing his bowlers to bowl one side of the wicket, Marple did not get the same fast start as the home team. However, Jim Morgan and Mark Bennett knew that they had plenty of time, and that the outfield was very quick. Both players kept the score ticking nicely with well struck boundaries when the bowlers erred in line or length. Roylance tried spin at both ends with Rao and Albert Pennington. The former seemed in control straightaway, but Pennington served up a real mixture. Maybe Bennett was trying to be to careful, but he managed to hit a full toss from Pennjngton to Hayes at mid on when he was 25, and Marple 45 for 2. Mark Makin often looks at ease immediately, and today was no exception. He cruised to 25, but then at 22 inexplicably missed a full ball from Pennington, and Marple were 85 for 3.
With Morgan becoming increasingly fluent, there appeared to be little to worry the travelling supporters though. Paul Wood was was rock solid at the other end, and the decisive partnership of the game began to unfold. Morgan struck the spinners powerfully,usually down the ground, but was also merciless on anything short of a length.
Wood, content to play second fiddle, did also play some glorious expansive drives, as the home bowlers found two batsmen of contrasting heights very tough to bowl at. The scoreboard rattled along, and just as it seems as though both players would see Marple home, Rao managed to trap Morgan lbw for a terrific 87 at 176. There was then a slight wobble when Hayes had Wood (36) brilliantly caught by Osborne without further addition to the score. Marple had two players on nought, but both Schofield and Andrew Hall are in fine fettle. Any nerves were swiftly calmed as 31 came in rapid time. Schofield attempted to finish the game in the grand manner, but fell for 22 at 207 for 6. Hall was then left undefeated, as Saxelby brought up the winning runs with nine overs remaining. Hayes, with 2 for 19, bowled a tidy late spell of left arm seam for Grappenhall, and maybe could have come on earlier.
Marple reach the halfway mark in the season in eight place in the league. The team is in a tight group of around six teams in mid table, and all is to play for. Next week they are on the road again, with a trip to picturesque Toft, 12.30 pm start.
Quarter Final Joy and Finals Day!
Marple's first eleven defeated Alderley Edge by three runs in the quarter finals of the Fred Graham T20 county league trophy last Wednesday at Bowden Lane. Despite the early loss of Mark Bennett, Marple posted a good total of 156 for 5 in the 20 overs. Mike Schofield led the way with 63, with Mim Morgan 42 and Mark Makin 29. Some good bowling from the home team kept Alderley under control, wickets falling regularly, and they ended on 153 for 9. Dylan Moroney and Ed Saxelby had three wickets apiece, but the other bowlers were all effective. Finals day is at Bramhall on Sunday 15th July, with Marple having an early start with a semi final against Bramhall at 10.30 am. The other game will feature Nantwich and Neston at 2pm, with the final at 5.30 pm.
Marple Seconds Steamroller Grappenhall!
Marple seconds, are proving to be quite a force this season. With the summer in full swing, the batting is now firing. A mammoth 261 for 4 was rattled up, with Andy Wild, Jamie Massey and Matt Barrow all passing the half century mark. The visitors reached 80 for 2, but Marple captain George Clarke was not in a generous mood. He mopped up the rest of the order with a ruthless 6 for 41, leaving Marple victors by 140 runs. This best of season haul brought up 150 second eleven premier league wickets for Clarke in just three and a half seasons. This is a notable achievement for a seam bowler in a league where the pitches generally favour batsmen and spin bowlers.
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