Chester Boughton Hall 306 for 1 declared (47 overs) 25 points beat Marple 85 all out (24.2 overs) 0 points by 221 runs
Chester Boughton Hall is arguably the toughest venue in the county for visiting sides, and is especially so when a side low on confidence loses the toss and has to field first.
Chester openers Rick Moore and Warren Goodwin are a formidable combination, and Goodwin, after a lean season in 2018 by his standards, is keen to return to his form of old. At no stage though did the Marple bowlers throw in the towel in the face of the onslaught. It was Goodwin initially who got his side off to a flyer, and then once settled, Moore used his power and timing to catch up with his partner. There were many fours and sixes hit by both men, and it will be of little consolation to Marple that this sort of exhibition has been performed against many teams in the recent past. A superb stand of 221 was posted by current Cheshire captain Moore and former Cheshire and Lancashire 2nd XI batman Goodwin still only 32. A mistimed drive by Moore brought his end for a brutal 107, caught by Wood off Clarke. Although Goodwin lost the strike for a while when number three Jamie Crawley came in, the scoring rate scarcely dipped as another county man showed his class. Goodwin, after posting his second successive century, then really hit the gas to take his side side beyond 300, and bring up his own 150, before Moore mercifully called time at 306 for 1.
Faced with such a daunting total, Marple had no answers to a steady and accurate attack. A combination of good deliveries and loose strokes saw them bowled out for just 85 in the twenty-fifth over. A number of players managed double figures, Paulett top scoring with 29, but could not stay and go on to a big score. The wickets were shared for Chester, with McCormick taking 3, Aspin 2, Harry Killoran 1, and leg spinner Jack Williams bamboozling the tail with 4 for 15.
Marple will need a very quick reaction to this sobering defeat when they entertain fellow league strugglers Oulton Park at Bowden Lane next Saturday, 12.30pm start.
There was better news in the T20 competition with two comfortable victories for a young Marple side against Romiley and Stockport Georgians. Two hard hit half centuries from skipper Jim Morgan saw Marple post solid totals in both games. The third match of four in a round robin mini league takes place at Stockport’s Cale Green ground next Thursday, 6.00pm start.
On a tired and slow pitch at Marple on Saturday, Marple’s under strength second eleven could only manage a meagre 50 all out in response to Chester’s 126 all out. Joel Greasley, in his first game of the season took a splendid 6 for 35 for Marple, but the batsmen, although digging in, could not keep the scoreboard ticking over. They slip from top to fourth in the league.
Marple’s third team managed to lighten the gloom with a sterling effort at Cheadle on Sunday against a traditionally strong third eleven. Cheadle took first knock and posted a formidable 224 for 9, with Tom Reeve 4 for 53, Greg Marsland 2 for 53, James Reeve 1 for 44 and Will Darby (a rare opportunity with ball!) 1 for 16 taking the wickets. Dan Cox did well with 0 for 15 from his five overs despite not picking up a wicket. Marple were under pressure in the reply at 20 for3, but a terrific effort saw them close on 182 for 7 and maximum draw points. The side saw four under fifteens included, and they all acquitted themselves well. Jamie Massey 51, Tom Reeve 40, Josh Kirk 28, Tom Headridge 27 not out and Dan Cox 10 not out. The last two mentioned added 33 unbroken for the eighth wicket in a spirited display.
Marple’s improving women’s first eleven comfortably defeated Lymm Oughtrington Park in the side’s first home game of the season on Sunday May 12th. The bowlers, Kat Axon, Rosie Bradshaw, Kat Bennett, Abbi Lamidey, Richmal Giles and Rebecca Edmundson restricted Park to just 23 for 7! Marple openers Laura Cavanagh and skipper Ashley Aspin knocked off the runs without loss to bring up a ten wicket win.
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