Cricket the Winner as Marple and Hyde Serve Up Thriller!

Marple 255 for 7 (55 overs) 15 points drew with Hyde 250 for 9 (55 overs) 8 points

For an excellent crowd of supporters drawn from both clubs, this was a terrific game of cricket, both teams having a chance of victory right up the final delivery. There were fine individual performances on both sides, with the two Australian quick bowlers showing their true worth.

After a grim afternoon the previous week against Neston, Marple captain Jim Morgan was mighty relieved to win the toss and bat first on an even hotter afternoon. He had also decided to change the batting order. Although not all the changes worked, there was a fresh feel to things, and one sensed the players relished the altered line up. Paul Wood opened with Morgan this game. Wood is not an especially lucky batsman, and bowlers always seem to be right on target when he comes to the crease. After appearing secure, he got one that lifted from Glen Hannah, and inside edged the ball to keeper Allcock for 8. Ramsay and Morgan were also both dismissed by Hyde’s tall Aussie. Ramsay (10) mistimed a pull shot and was caught by Baker at mid wicket ad then Morgan (14) fell, caught at gulley by Balderson, to a slower delivery which seemed to leave the batsman off the pitch. At 46 for 3, Marple were in some trouble, and when Andrew Hall shouldered arms and was lbw to Balderson for just 11 at 70 for 4, the situation became precarious. George Balderson, a young Lancashire starlet is a fine prospect. He has a smooth and easily repeatable action, not that dissimilar to England’s Chris Woakes. Here, he bowled a useful spell of 1 for 30 in seven overs, being somewhat quicker than he looked. Hannah’s initial impressive spell had brought him 3 for 21 from 8 overs.

Morgan had decided to promote Liam Brown to number 4, no doubt impressed by his sound technique and good judgment the previous week. He was joined by Mark Makin, keen to do well against his former club. Both batsmen did not allow slow left armer Cranmer to settle, and the bowler was noticeably frustrated, never bowling a consistent line or length. Makin began with a flurry of boundaries, and Brown timed the ball well finding the gaps.  The runs came at a good pace, although Eliot Young replaced Cranmer and bowled tidily. The batsmen were now set though, and there was not much spin for Hyde’s second left arm spinner. 56 runs came in excellent time, before Brown mistimed a full toss from Young to be safely pouched by Duffy at deep mid on for a very fine maiden 50 for Marple. Andy Paulett joined Makin and looked in control at once. Makin had reined himself in somewhat, seemingly determined on batting through the innings. This sixth wicket added 38 brisk runs, before Paulett (15) got a little ahead of himself and chipped a simple catch to Eliot Young at mid wicket off Cole Turner, who initially came back well after an inconsistent first spell with the new ball. At 164 for 6 the innings was in the balance. Max Fitzgerald though took his chance, and partnered Makin the the highest stand of the match. He hoisted a Turner for a big six over mid wicket, and square cut Hannah twice for four in successive deliveries when the paceman replaced Turner who had suffered somewhat. Fitzgerald made an excellent 29 before falling to Hannah at 223 for 7. Jack Grundy then gave Makin good support with 12 not out. Makin played a superb innings of 92 not out with 13 fours and one six. It was a trademark Makin knock, a combination of power and timing. Here, his management of the situation was first class. For Hyde, Hannah was the star with 4 for 54 from 14 overs. Marple will have been glad to restrict left arm spinners Cranmer and Young to 1 for 104 from 22 combined overs in the final tally of 255 for 7.

With Hyde having four left handers at the top of their order, veteran off spinner Greasley bowled the second over. Maybe this threw Hyde skipper Tom Partridge, for after heaving wildly at fresh air, he fell in similar vein to Brown earlier, from a top edged full toss safely caught by Wood at mid off and Hyde were 3 for 1. Greasley was removed from the attack after just two overs, and Grundy replaced him at the north end. Both Brown and Grundy bowled well, but in Luke Young and Balderson, Hyde have two of the best young batsmen in the league. Anything slightly wide was beautifully put away through the cover area. Brown did beat the outside of the bat though, and having had Young (23) pinned down for a period, managed to induce a thick edge from a hard slash outside the off stump. Makin took a spectacular catch above his head from a ball that flew to him at a rate of knots. Brown was now fired up and confident after his batting earlier. He produced a beauty to clean bowl Duffy who played loosely at 64 for 3, Marple were delighted to get the former Cheshire star early this game. Eliot Young now joined Balderson, and he played a fine innings in a good fourth wicket stand.

Marple had a serious setback when George Clarke, Marple’s third seamer, suffered a nasty shoulder injury when diving to stop the ball on the boundary edge. Poor Clarke left the field gingerly, and it looks as though he will be out of action for the rest of the season. As a result of this unfortunate accident, Paul Wood, not himself 100 per cent fit, was drafted in to bowl a spell. He probably did not anticipate being asked to bowl 16 overs in two spells! The dual between Eliot Young and Greasley was a fascinating one. Young is a powerful batsman, but he seemingly just caressed the ball over boundary with exquisite timing for four huge sixes off the master craftsman.  Wood got into his work at the other end and managed to induce the excellent Balderson to chop a ball onto his stumps for a classy 54 at 115 for 4. Young mixed studious defence with his power, but Greasley had the last laugh  when the batsman skied the ball to long on and Brown cooly took the catch. Young was gone for 42 with the total 141 for 5.

The Hyde middle and lower order contains some dangerous players, and with the wily Fitzsimmons anchoring things, Turner was able to play with freedom. A further 45 runs came before Brown returned to shatter  the stumps of Fitzsimmons (29) at 186 for 6. With Turner set though, the scoring rate did not slacken, and wicket keeper Allcock continued the charge. Hyde now looked likely winners, and Marple seemed unable to stem the flow of runs. Both players cleared the ropes and were rapid in their running between the wickets. The heroic Wood managed to induce Turner to edge to Morgan for a fine 43 though at 230 for 7, and the spell was broken. Allcock fought gamely on, but ice cool Brown held his nerve to defeat Cranmer and Baker both lbw to full straight deliveries. Hannah, at number 11, and Allcock ran for everything though, including byes and leg byes. With one delivery of the game remaining six were required. Again, Brown kept calm and Allcock was unable to hit the winning boundary. He ended 23 not out. For Marple, Brown gave a fantastic allround performance taking for 5 for 59 and achieved the rare feat of a half century and five wickets in a game. He was well supported by Greasley 2 for 64, the courageous Wood 2 for 79, and a slightly unlucky Grundy with 0 for 33.

Both sets of players were applauded from the field by an appreciative crowd, in what was a terrific game of high class club cricket. Marple will hope to take the confidence gained into another home game next Saturday against Timperley, 12.30pm start.

Hyde defeated a young Marple second team at Werneth Low by seven wickets. Although Marple laboured to just 128 for 8, there were encouraging knocks from Sam Stretton (18), Ed Saxelby (34) and Lewis Braddock(17). The Hyde bowlers shared the wickets. Ben Balderson with 54, made the identical score to his brother in the first team game, as a solid response brought up a comfortable home win.

In the first game of the round robin under 19 T20 competition, Marple defeated Mottram by seven wickets. Mottram 105 for 6, Jordan Swann 30 not out, with Sam Ittig 2 for 20 and skipper Connor Bergin 2 for 16. Marple paced the reply well with Sam Stretton 40 not out and Ed Saxelby 40 leading the way, two overs remaining.

Marple women’s first team had a tough day against Ashton on Mersey women last Thursday. The home team rattled up 127 for 5 in their 20 overs, with Beth Caunce top scoring with 25. Bella Wood  with 2 for 10 and Freya Jones 2 for 12 bowled well for Marple.  The visitors were dismissed for just 33 though, with only Kat Axon (12) and Amy Seddon (8) offering much resistance. Jordy Matthews, 3 for 3, and Sarah Sutcliffe 2 for 3, were unstoppable for Mersey.

No Crumbs of Comfort as Marple Steamrollered!

Neston 279 for 6 (55 overs) 25 points beat Marple 103 all out (31.2 overs) 2 points by 176 runs

With dry and warm weather finally returning after successive washed out games, the Marple ground looked in superb condition for the visit of high flying Neston. The Wirral micro climate meant that the visitors had played the previous week, comfortably defeating Hyde, when almost all other games in the league were cancelled. The wicket was dry, very firm and had a whitish appearance. Frustratingly, Marple captain Jim Morgan lost the toss and his team were set for a long afternoon in the field.

Morgan had chosen to field just the four front line bowlers, and such a tactic needed them to be firing on all cylinders from the start. For Neston, Will Evans the Cheshire wicket keeper batsman is one of the most dangerous and destructive batsmen in the premier league. He began with a flurry of boundaries as Liam Brown, striving for extra pace, was a little rusty after the enforced three week layoff. He bowled an initial spell of just three overs.  Andy Wylie was his usual self accuracy wise, but there was precious little assistance for the bowlers, and both Evans and his partner Smith had time to play their strokes. Wylie did get the wicket of Smith (7), caught behind by Morgan at 31 for 1, but Dane Williams, formerly of the Oxton club, did a good job in support of Evans. 

The pair were rarely troubled, and Evans, after missing a big shot against Greasley, was content to play sensibly, reining himself in. They added 90 before Greasley picked up Williams for 41, once more smartly taken by Morgan. The arrival of the technically secure Luke Camden to partner Evans did not see the scoring rate falter. These two classy left handers took Neston beyond 200, and Evans, with eleven fours and three sixes brought up a quality and at times violently struck century before he was bowled by the returning Wylie for 117. South African Michael Eckard joined Camden, and although this hard hitting batsman briefly threatened to run riot, he fell lbw to Wylie for just 17 at 231 for 4.

It was from this point onwards that Marple’s fielding began to wilt visibly. Camden came into his own now, timing the ball beautifully. Hitting seven fours and a six in his 72, he dominated the final stages of the innings as Neston cruised to a formidable 279 for 6 in the full 55 overs. For Marple, Greasley was accurate with 1 for 40 and Wylie was not particularly flattered with just 3 for 81 from 15 overs. Both Brown and George Clarke struggled without much assistance from the pitch, although Clarke did pick up couple of late wickets including that of Camden, well caught by Wood in the deep from the final delivery of the innings.

Almost three and a half hours chasing leather on a warm afternoon had a detrimental effect on Marple’s reply to such a formidable total. Andrew Hall was yorked for 0 second ball by Neston’s paceman Ash Davis. Jim Morgan did play a cameo innings of 27, some anger being taken out on Davis as he unleashed some glorious boundaries. However, a checked drive off the same bowler was well caught, high above his head, by Eckard at extra cover. Morgan looked in top form, and it was a real pity for a good crowd that he could not go on.

After this episode there was little to cheer for Marple. From the depths of 59 for 6, Paulett and Brown added 39, not looking in trouble, and probably making the top order wish that they could have batted some time in the middle. Paulett hit off spinner Eckard for two gigantic straight sixes in his 28 not out and Brown was stylish with his 16. Slow left arm spinner Luke Jones completely mesmerised the tail in quick order though, ending with a flattering 5 for 17. Once again, a bowler of this type had completely out foxed half the Marple bastmen. 103 all out was a very depressing response on a good if slowish surface and a lightning quick outfield.

This was a chastening defeat for Marple, and they will now have to accept, even before the halfway point of the season, that they are in a battle for premier league survival along with probably three other clubs. From this aging hack’s observations, the general standard of play in the league this season is consistently higher than that of 2018. This appears to be particularly true of the bowling, with runs generally hard to come by. There are no easy games.

Next week, Saturday 29^th June, Marple are at home once more with a game against near rivals Hyde, start time 12.30pm. 

Marple seconds made the long trip to Neston. This is one of the most attractive grounds in Cheshire, and a good game of cricket between two good second eleven teams ensued. Neston took first knock and rattled up 215 for 9. When Marple responded they were in good shape at 110 for 2, James Crisall and Stuart Bass hitting half centuries. However, a middle order collapse followed and it was left to Sam Stretton and Joel Greasley to see out a draw, Marple ending on 178 for 9. 

On Sunday Marple thirds battled hard to reach a competitive 144 all out from 40.1 overs  against Didsbury thirds. Lewis Braddock top scored with 43, and the lower order dug in to get Marple out of a hole at 75 for 5, Tom Reeve 25, Connor Bergin 13 and James Reeve 11 not out. For Didsbury, Mohammed Hoque had 3 for 15 and Rab Nawaz 3 for 31. When Didsbury replied, all the Marple bowlers did a good job, however they could not dislodge opener Jordan Harrison. He made a match winning 90, only being dismissed by leg spinner Paul Roberts four runs short of victory. Didsbury winners by four wickets with five overs to spare.

June Monsoons Continue at Nantwich!

Despite the best endeavours of the Nantwich ground staff and players, persistent and heavy rain meant that there was no prospect of play at Nantwich’s superb Whitehouse Lane venue last Saturday. The south west corner of Cheshire had received a huge amount of rain during the preceding days, and although both sides were keen to play if possible, there was never the remotest chance of cricket.

Marple now have the rare luxury of three consecutive home games. The first of these, weather permitting this soggy June, is against Wirral club Neston next Saturday with a 12.30pm start.

The second eleven game between the two clubs did get underway at Bowden Lane however. Marple got off to a good start with Connor Ramsay making a fluent 33. His dismissal though, led to a middle order collapse with Ben Mogg picking up 4 four 12 for the visitors. The rains returned though with Marple on 68 for 6 and no further play possible.

 There was no third eleven game last Sunday, but the women’s teams of Marple and Hawarden Park put on a good game at Bowden Lane in a match reduced to 20 overs per side because of the weather. Park made a solid 102 for 2, Rachel Warrenger starring with 44 not out.  Marple reached 84 for 5 in a spirited reply. Laura Cavanagh made 20 and Richmal Giles an attractive 47.

Rain Frustrates Marple!

Constant and heavy rain saw Marple’s potentially attractive game with an improved Cheadle side abandoned without a ball being bowled at Bowden Lane last Saturday. It was the same story at Kingsway as the seconds were also without cricket. Marple travel to current premier league champions Nantwich next Saturday 15^th June and a 12.30pm start.

Only skipper Jim Morgan with another violently hit half century (76) could make much impression against Hyde in the final T20 game in the group stages last Thursday. Hyde made it through to the quarter final stages, winning by six wickets against a young and improving Marple side in this form of the game. Marple 118 for 7 (Morgan 76) and Hyde 120 for 4 with almost three overs remaining. There were no stand out performers for Hyde, but it was an impressive all round effort from a side on the up again after returning to the top flight this season.

In a game finishing near to 9.30pm last Sunday, Marple and Sale’s third teams put on a terrific game of cricket. Marple 185 all out (39.1 overs) Will Darby 30, Jack Grundy 27, Max Fitzgerald 48. Youngsters Jonny Monk (12) and Dan Cox (17 not out) deserve special praise for helping Marple post such a good total after the game being in the balance at 145 for 7. Gareth Watterson , 5 for 47 and Ghani Khan, 3 for 25, were excellent for Sale.

After a period of torrential rain, the Marple ground now showed how quickly it can recover, and a good game ensued. Sale ended on 169 for 9 from 44 overs as Marple could just not prise out the final pair. Dan Newton, with 67 was the star for Sale. Marple’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Tom Reeve, 2 for 52 and Jack Grundy 3 for 13 being the pick. Marple took 14 points to Sale’s 9.

Sublime Sehmi sinks Marple!

Toft 229 for 3 (44.1 overs)25 points beat Marple 225 all out (52.5 overs) 9 points by seven wickets

A superb 101 not out by Toft’s multi talented wicket keeper batsman Robert Sehmi took Toft to what was ultimately a comfortable victory. This was a game which featured some high quality cricket from both teams at Toft’s scenic venue.

Marple skipper Jim Morgan was probably not too displeased to be asked to bat first on a fine but cloudy afternoon. The light was good and the wicket, whilst having a greenish tinge to it, had good carry and came onto the bat nicely. Toft’s opening attack of Jackson and Forster both bowled with good pace, with the former, in particular, achieving a good carry through to keeper Sehmi who was stood a good way back. Morgan and his partner Andrew Hall often thrive in these conditions though, and once more they gave Marple a good start, posting a second successive half century stand. There was little margin for error for the bowlers, as Hall, especially, pounced on anything slightly off line or length. It was first change Scott who claimed the initial wicket when Morgan (28) mistimed a pull stroke and was safely caught at mid on by Cornes. This was another innings full of promise cut off after the new ball had been seen off. However, 59 runs scored at a good pace were on the board. This brought in Danny Lamb at number three making his Marple debut. Lamb, a member of the current Lancashire squad, has suffered from injury, but here he showed what a talented batsman he is. He was watchful in defence, but unleashed a couple of brutal pull shots when the bowlers erred. He was content to rotate the strike with Hall, and the scoring rate was kept at a good level.

Hall passed a fluent half century, but was then out lbw on the sweep to the left arm spin of Toft skipper Jimmy Lomas. This was an uncharacteristic dismissal for Hall (51), as he does not usually use this particular stroke. Marple were still in good shape though at 104 for 2 with Lamb now set and Wood looking secure. At this stage of the innings, the Toft bowling was tight, with Lomas always accurate, and Cornes, the fourth seamer to be used, hitting an awkward length. It was the tall and powerfully built  Cornes who tilted things his side’s way when he managed to get Lamb (32) to chop a ball onto his stumps, and then find the edge of Wood’s bat to leave Marple wobbling on 121 for 4.

Their now followed a heartening stand of 56, scored at an excellent tempo, between Mark Makin and Mike Schofield who were starting on nought together. This was good cricket, and both batsmen showed fine character and skill. It was Schofield who frustrated Lomas, getting him away to the leg side boundary on several occasions, and also not allowing Rob Jones to settle with his leg spin. He seemed to have the measure of the Lancashire star, but maybe got a bit too ambitious and hit a return catch to the bowler at 177 for 5. He hit six fours in a breezy 36. At number seven Andrew Paulett initially supported Makin well, who now came into his own, being harsh on the returning Jackson and taking Marple beyond 200. Paulett fretted though in his anxiety to keep things moving, despite the fact there were still a good few overs remaining. He overreached against Jones and was stumped for just 5 at 203 for 6. Makin, after reaching an entertaining 45, mistimed Jackson to mid off to give the bowler a semblance of revenge at 211 for 7. Joe Cash then smote a couple of late boundaries off Jones to take Marple to 225 all out and maximum batting points. This was a competitive total, but two overs were unused, and Makin was not supported intelligently by the lower order. Jones had four late wickets for 37.

When Toft began their reply, Marple’s opening attack in this game of Liam Brown and Ryan Stringer both bowled well, enjoying good carry through to keeper Morgan. The Aussie Brown, in particular, was a real handful for Forster and Lomas, and it was an unlucky bowler when Morgan put down a sharp chance from Lomas. The Toft skipper then got both bowlers away to the fence with some hard hit drives. It was Stringer who picked up the first wicket at 41 when Lomas (24) edged once more to Morgan.  This brought in Rob Sehmi, and the former Loughborough and Kent second eleven man looked in complete control at once. He is a stylish, classical player with superb footwork, exquisite timing and he rarely lofts the ball, often finding the gaps in the field with his placement. Joe Cash dragged down a couple of short deliveries in his opening over, but no fieldsman moved as the ball was clinically despatched to the boundary. Cash settled after this wayward beginning, and Forster chipped him to Wood at mid off for 31 and the total 107 for 2.

With Sehmi well set this brought in Toft number four Rob Jones. Jones is also currently Lancashire’s number four, and is enjoying a fine season in first class cricket. Here, he respected the bowling, and rotated the strike with Sehmi. Marple toiled in vain, as two high class players took complete control. There was nothing ugly in a superb stand of 116 runs in just over an hour. Marple’s bowlers ran in with determination, but timing and placement from both players found the boundary with regularity. From the spectators view point it was royal entertainment. Brown, short of good fortune on this day, did have Jones well caught by George Clarke at fine leg from a top edged hook for a cultured 57, but the game was up. Sehmi, with 18 stroked boundaries remained 101 not out, and a sizeable crowd cheered his brilliant knock.

Although defeated, Marple played much good cricket in this game, and should not be too down on themselves. There is a home game with Cheadle at Bowden Lane next Saturday, 12.30pm start, and also a deciding T20 game against Hyde on Thursday at 6.00pm also at Bowden Lane.

Hostile Grundy Downs Toft Seconds!

A very welcome return of 5 for 32 from Marple’s talented young seam bowler Jack Grundy accounted for Toft in the second eleven encounter between the two clubs at Bowden Lane on Saturday. In Marple’s hard earned 154 all out, James Crisall made 26, Max Fitgerald another good 32, Stewart Bass 38 and Andy Massey 24.

Grundy bowled 15 overs in one spell as Toft had no answer to his movement and lift. He was particularly well supported by Andy Massey with 3 for 16. Joe Stanley with 33 top scored for Toft, but a last wicket stand of 49 between James Hodgson, 25,  and Gohar Rashid 19 not out, caused a few nerves before Connor Ramsay turned bowler to finish things off by castling Hodgson. Toft ended 134 all out, and a Marple win by 20 runs.

Darby and Grundy (Again!) Star in Thirds Demolition!

A superb 106 from Will Darby took Marple thirds to an out of sight 226 for 5 declared in the third eleven game between Toft and Marple on Sunday. The hard hitting and emerging Lewis Braddock with 44 gave terrific support in a century plus stand with Darby. Andy Gichero then whacked a rapid 43 as the home bowlers wilted.

Grundy, determined to get some welcome overs under his belt, added to his Saturday haul, this time with 5 for 23 as Toft were routed for just 75. Paul Roberts mopped up the tail with his leg spin taking 3 for 13.