Epic Collapse Sinks Marple!

Saturday 4th August

Marple 132 all out (44.5 overs) 5 points lost to Oulton Park 191 for 9 (55 overs) 25 points by 59 runs 

Marple's poor run of form continued with a home defeat to Oulton Park last Saturday. After removing the Park top order and the score on 65 for 4, the visitors recovered mainly through a second undefeated half century of the season against Marple by wicket keeper batsman and skipper Pat Roberts. His 70 not out helped to shepherd the tail, and 191 is always a challenging target at Marple these days. 

For Marple, Jack Grundy bowled a useful opening spell, but it was spinners Andy Greasley with 4 for 41 and Joe Cash 2 for 39 that kept Park's total within reasonable bounds. 

Marple tried yet another opening pairing with Andrew Hall returning to open with Jim Morgan. It was a good move, as they added 53 for the first wicket, this being only Marple's third good start of the season. 

Marple's batting has been as brittle as a pensioner's bones this season, but after Hall fell for a battling 28, a horrific collapse ensued. No batsmen from number three to number eight managed a score of more than one, and the six players scored just two runs between them! What must have gone through Morgan's head at the other end? He kept his calm though and went on to a fine 58. When he fell at 87 for 8 though the game was up. 

The batting display was put into perspective somewhat by number 9, Moroney(10), number 10 Grundy (15), and number 11 Greasley who all stayed in for some time and reached double figures. Indeed, Greasley clubbed four angry boundaries ending on 17 not out. For Park, second change seamer Hyslop  had 5 for 21 and off spinner Kashif 4 for 39. 

So Marple continue to struggle, mainly with the bat, in the Cheshire County Premier League. Once again they were bowled out well within the 55 overs. Next week they visit a revived Alderley Edge, 12.30 pm start.

Despite posting 249 for 4 away to Oulton Park, Jamie Massey 118 not out and Garry Cash 78, Marple seconds were defeated by four wickets by Oulton Park at Little Budworth. Park had almost three overs to spare as Owen Williamson matched Massey with 103 not out.  Damian Barton hit 42 not out in support. Marple skipper George Clarke with a fine 4 for 39 was the only bowler to keep any control at this small and tricky to defend venue.

The first eleven batting woes spread to the third eleven at Alderley Edge on Sunday. 134 all out in just 29.1 overs was a poor effort. Edge made short work of the reply, knocking of the runs in only 24 overs for the loss of just three wickets, Henry Stevinson 63 and Mike Higginson 38 not out.