Cheadle 205 for 7(55 overs) 25 points beat Marple 191 all out (55 overs) 6 points by 14 runs
Marple were once more involved in an agonising finish to a game, as century hero Mark Makin was caught behind from the final delivery of the match to give Cheadle the victory in this important fixture between the two clubs.
Conditions were overcast on a mid August afternoon, and Marple skipper Paul Wood asked Cheadle to take first knock. The pitch was firm, but had a tinge of green. With Cheadle’s leading scorer Greg Dixon missing this match, captain Dan Brown showed faith in Richard Nicholson, asking him to partner Ryan O’Brien at the top of the order so as not to disrupt the rest of the batting. Nicholson, normally number ten or eleven in the order, did a fantastic job for his side. In making 40, he helped see off the threat of Moroney in particular, who managed some good carry through to the wicket keeper. Although the run rate was never out of control as far as Marple were concerned, an opening stand of 86 was ominous with the outfield quick, and Cheadle having some powerful strikers down the order. Jack Grundy and Ed Saxelby were steady for Marple, but Greasley was not quite himself initially. The master spinner dragged one or two deliveries down and O’Brien especially, wasted no time in finding the boundary. It was Wood himself who broke the partnership when Nicholson edged a good one to keeper Morgan. Brown added 40 more with O’Brien, but he was deceived and bowled by Joe Cash for 29 at 126 for 2. From here, Marple managed to get themselves into the game, and Greasley settled to provide a good spin partnership with Cash. With two further wickets, those of Bullock and Dooler, falling quickly at 138 for 4 the game was finely poised. O’Brien found a useful partner in Subhaan Mahmood, and they added a further 43 runs. In the scramble for late runs O’Brien was run out for a fine 88, but with Mahmood hitting 25 and Holmes a quickfire 13, a final tally of 205 for 7 was a decent enough score. Chasing this sort of target has been tricky for any team this season at Marple. Joe Cash had 3 for 47 and Greasley 2 for 58.
Cheadle were certainly motivated for this game, and it was noticeable that team manager Jim Cotterill had his bowlers out during the tea interval hitting their lengths beside the square. These same bowlers were on the mark immediately once play got underway. Ryan Brown is not express pace, but he bowls an awkward line and length. He managed to pass the edge of Andrew Hall’s bat a number of times in his opening spell. With his side light in seam bowling department, Brown made the brave decision to open with young leg spinner Josh Dooler at the opposite end to himself. Dooler is a talented and bustling bowler, who has excellent control of this difficult art. He got his side off to a terrific start with the wickets of Morgan, bowled for 4, and Wood caught at slip from a perfectly pitched leg spinner for 5. Marple were 23 for 2 when Mark Makin marched breezily out to the middle to partner Hall. This partnership was now crucial to Marple’s chances. They added 72 in good style but at 95, Hall inexplicably ran past a delivery from slow left armer Holmes and was stumped for 37. From this point onwards, it was Makin on his own as far as the scoring was concerned. There were two useful stands of 40 with Joe Cash and one of 37 with Moroney. However, neither player was able to stay in and see Marple home with Makin. Cash made 17 and Moroney 8, but at 190 for 9 Brown began the final over. Makin had batted superbly for his 106, and just when it looked as though he would see Marple through to their first drawn game of 2018, he edged the final delivery of the game to keeper Bullock. One had to feel for Marple’s century maker, who was understandably crestfallen at the end. Cheadle’s bowlers did a fine job, showing good discipline and making the most of their abilities, Brown 3 for 31, Dooler 3 for 50, Holmes 3 for 67 and Mahmood 1 for 33.
For the second week in succession Marple had to witness ecstatic scenes from opposition players and spectators, Cheadle having brought a good number of fans with them to Bowden Lane. The batting unit once again produced an inconsistent display, with only two players reaching double figures in support of the fantastic Makin. With results going against them this week, the bottom half of the table is tightening up. Marple slip to ninth, and travel to league leaders Nantwich next week. They should take heart from the fact that Nantwich were soundly beaten by Toft in a game that has also made the title race wide open for the top four or five clubs. The fixture at Whitehouse Lane starts at 12.30pm Saturday 25th August.
On a brighter note, Marple seconds put a bad run behind them to comfortably defeat Macclesfield seconds at Victoria Road. A fine all round effort in the field saw Macc bundled out for just 116, Joel Greasley 3 and Clarke 3 being the leading wicket takers. Marple, led by Andy Wild 56 and Matt Barrow 28 romped home by seven wickets. Stuart Bass clubbed three consecutive fours to bring up a much needed win.
Unfortunately a bad day for the 3s...
Marple 131 all out 42.2 overs
Sale 132-4 27.1 overs
Braddock 40, Leech 28, Reeve 16
Bergin 3-37 off 10.
Still work to do to ensure our premier division status
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