Timperley 247 for 6 (54.5 overs) 25 points beat Marple 244 for 9 (55 overs) 10 points by four wickets
In one of the best games seen at Marple this season, a seventh wicket stand of 116 runs, unbroken between Brooke Guest and Jack White , saw Timperley edge the victory with just one delivery of the match remaining.
The first day of September produced glorious sunshine, and the Marple ground looked in immaculate condition, the drought of June and July seemingly long in the past. Visiting skipper Nathan Brown won the toss asked Marple to take first knock on a straw coloured pitch which appeared to be an absolute beauty, despite having been used previously. Marple were not displeased to be batting though, and Andrew Hall and Jim Morgan tucked into the Timperley opening attack of Jack White and Ed Galley with relish. White, also Cheshire’s opening bowler, is a talented cricketer, and with a good action brings the ball down from a considerable height. He is, though, of fragile temperament. Both he and Galley attempted some short stuff, but on this form, Marple’s opening pair is a formidable partnership. Both bowlers were ruthlessly dispatched to the boundary as Marple got away to their best start of the season. White’s body language suggested that he felt the world was against him, and he was warned by the umpire as to his behaviour. This bothered Hall and Morgan not one iota, as a 97 run opening stand in rapid time got Marple racing away, the ball speeding regularly across the lightning fast outfield.
First Galley, and then White were removed from the attack as Brown attempted to control the scoring rate. It was Morgan (51) who had reached his half century with some scintillating boundaries, who was the first to go, lbw to Furqan Shafiq. Shafiq is a deceptive spinner, and he outfoxed Morgan on this occasion. Mark Makin did not last long at three this week, but Paul Wood settled well and added another 52 with Hall for the third wicket in good time. From the position of 152 for 2, Marple were on course for a total well in excess of 250, but then the returning White began a fateful over. Wood (27) was lbw, and then Mark Bennett was bowled first ball. James Crissall prevented the hat trick, but was also out lbw to the very next delivery. White’s triple wicket maiden had changed the game the visitors’ way. All the while Hall was unflustered though, and first with Mike Schofield, a solid 22, and then Connor Ramsay, 10, a further 67 were added for the next two wickets. Hall managed to take Marple to a very creditable 244 for 9 when he inflicted additional pain on Galley when the left arm seamer returned. Hall’s 119 not out was a terrific innings, full of glorious timing, and his game management was absolutely first class.
White recovered from his initial mauling to finish with 5 for 63 from 15 overs, and Shafiq had two important wickets with 2 for 32. 244 represented a very good total, particularly after White’s game changing over, although it certainly meant that Timperley were in the game with their powerful line up on an excellent track.
After tea, the game was evenly poised during the early overs. Dylan Moroney found the edge of the dangerous and prolific Grant Hodnett’s bat and keeper Morgan gratefully pouched the catch behind the stumps. Shafiq and Abhishek Kulkarni played with care, and the former timed the ball in the manner of Andrew Hall in finding the boundary when the bowlers erred. It was, once again, Paul Wood who got the breakthrough for Marple when he had Shafiq (38) brilliantly caught behind by Morgan at 83 for 2. Kulkarni then mistimed a drive off Joe Cash to be well caught by Makin at short mid wicket, and Wood produced an absolute beauty to bowl Olivier for a single. At 94 for 4, Marple were well on top. Skipper Brown, a busy batsman, partnered Lancashire second team wicket keeper batsman Guest in adding a further 37. Joe Cash then had two in two for Marple. First Brown was lbw for 18, and then Galley’s miserable day continued as he was deceived in flight and bowled for a duck. 131 for 6 left Timperley a lot to do. Maybe Jack White had told himself to channel his inner anger into his cricket, because now he looked a proper batsman. Guest played superbly for his side, not giving a single chance, but showing top class technique and temperament. White was also solid in defence, but played some forceful attacking strokes, finding the boundary on a number of occasions. Marple continued to bowl well though, not allowing easy runs. The ground fielding of Makin, Bennett, Ramsay, Cash, Wood and Schofield was of the highest order, with the fieldsmen throwing themselves about to save singles and boundaries. However, although Wood switched his attack around, there was little in the pitch to help the bowlers any longer. With both batsmen now set, it needed an error. None were forthcoming, and although the tension mounted as the final over began, White brought up his own half century (51 not out) carving the penultimate delivery from Jack Grundy over the infield for 4. Guest’s innings of 79 not out was a very mature effort, and this is certainly a young player who is well worth keeping an eye on in the future. Cash had 3 for 72 and Wood 2 for 42 for Marple.
Marple were narrowly defeated by a talented Timperley group of players. However, they should not be downhearted by this loss. They played as a solid unit, and helped entertain a good crowd to a first rate game of high quality club cricket. They remain in ninth place in the Cheshire County Premier League, and visit current champions Chester Boughton Hall next Saturday September 8th with an 11.30am start.
Sensational Clarke the Destroyer For Marple Seconds!
Marple old timers were scratching their heads to see whether George Clarke’s remarkable return of 8 for 18 in 13 overs had ever been bettered in second eleven cricket at the club. In hitting the stumps five times and with three lbws, Clarke did not need any assistance from fielders as Timperley were blown away for just 116 in 38 overs. Marple made a measured response to the target on a traditionally tricky surface. Peter Jackson with 27 not out held the innings together, and he was ably assisted by first Andy Wild, 38, and then Matt Barrow with a fluent 41 not out as this win secured Marple in mid table in the second eleven premier league.
Third XI News of an unnecessarily bad tempered affair at Cheadle :
Marple 181 all out 40.1 overs.
Andy Mummery 62, Andy Gichero 26, Lewis Braddock 26, Jacob Combey 25. Sam Ittig 11 not out
Cheadle 182 for 8 in 43.2 overs
Tom Reece 3 for 33, Jacob Combey 2 for 42, Connor Bergin 2 for 28
Cheadle won by two wickets.
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