Fearless Meese Sinks Gallant Marple!

Cheadle 136 for 9 (49.3 overs) 25 points beat Marple 132 all out (54.1 overs) 6 points by one wicket

After chasing Marple’s modest total of 132 all out, Kingsway side Cheadle had subsided to 116 for 9, mainly due to a terrific spell of 5 for 40 from up and coming leg spinner Max Fitzgerald. Enter left arm seam bowler Pat Meese at number eleven in the order. Meese was not fazed by the situation facing him. He took the bull by the horns, and his innings of 12 not out is probably one he will remind his team mates of in the future.

The penultimate Saturday of August saw glorious, warm weather and not a cloud in the sky. However, a wet month, combined with a traditionally tough pitch at Kingsway, once more saw batting as an occupation fraught with risk. The Cheadle side is one that has maximised the resources at it’s disposal in the seasons since the club returned to Premier League Cricket. Skipper Dan Brown is not only a fine and accurate right arm seam bowler with terrific control, he is also an intelligent captain. This season has seen the addition of left arm seam bowler Pat Meese to the Cheadle ranks, and this has taken some of the pressure of Brown with the new ball. The Cheadle skipper was immaculate in his line and length, and although Andrew Hall and Paul Wood both looked secure for Marple, it was apparent that run scoring was going to be tough. With the ball not coming on to the bat, and the bounce inconsistent, Jim Morgan’s decision to bat first was looking to be a doubtful one.

Once again, Marple’s fragile batting in the 2019 season was exposed. The only partnership of note came between Mark Makin and Andrew Paulett after the visitors had subsided to 67 for 6. Makin, at number five, showed terrific self control, and he showed determination to try and bat through the full 55 overs. Hall had fallen to Meese, and Brown’s accuracy accounted for Wood, Morgan and Liam Brown. Some gutsy batting from Marple’s seventh wicket stand got them back into the game though, despite left arm spinner Will Holmes settling into a very testing spell. Paulett’s fine knock saw him hoist the talented leg spinner Josh Dooler for tree huge sixes, removing one threat from Cheadle’s talented bowling quartet. When Meese returned for a second spell he was right on the mark though. He bowled Makin for 39 when the Marple man attempted to force the pace as the overs began to ebb away. The nagging Holmes picked up most of the middle and lower order with his accuracy on a helpful surface, Paulett (43) also falling in an attempt to raise the score towards the end of the innings. 132 all out may not have seemed a big score, but batting was never easy, and Marple knew they were in the game. Brown had 3 for 20, Meese 3 for 30 and Holmes 4 for 42 for Cheadle.

When Cheadle replied, their initial response was anchored by the impressive Elliot Bullock. Although he lost Adams and Subhaan Mahmood to Liam Brown and Jack Grundy respectively, he found an excellent partner in Greg Dixon. Dixon did not suggest and air of permanence, but he kept the scoreboard moving, despite Brown in particular, bowling a testing spell. Veteran off spinner Greasley was introduced, and he settled immediately into a probing examination of the home batsmen. However, for Marple the decision of Morgan to throw the ball to young leg spinner Max Fitzgerald was an inspired one. Prior to this, Ed Saxelby had bowled a good spell without luck, seeing two edges flash through the slip area but not to hand. Fitzgerald’s spell was a real shot in the arm for Marple, and one could sense the game changing as he caused real problems for the Cheadle line up. He took four quick wickets, including the impressive Bullock for a classy 37, as huge doubt was cast over the run chase. Greasley, at the other end, was perfect in his control, but was frustrated, not picking up a wicket until he had two in two balls to leave Cheadle on 108 for 8. When the impressive Fitzgerald decieved and bowled Dixon for 49 Cheadle were 116 for 9. Surely that was it? Now Meese had his moment. From the first ball he faced he superbly drove Brown for four and never looked in trouble. Where had Cheadle been hiding their secret weapon?  With Greasley bowled out, and Samuels stout in his support of Meese an unlikely home win beckoned. Meese was unflinching, and saw his team home by one wicket, once more a tenth wicket stand doing for Marple. Fitzgerald became the first Marple leg spinner to take five wickets in an innings (5 for 41) since the volatile Chris Wood way back in 1981, and his performance was a really heartening one, his spin and variation causing problems for all the batsmen. Greasley was pin point in his accuracy, and had no luck during his 2 for 17 from 17 overs.

So, an agonizing defeat for Marple in a low scoring thriller. They have three games left, but just one at home, to reigning champions Nantwich at Bowden Lane next Saturday 31^st August, 11.30am start.

Marple seconds halted a run of defeats with a battling draw at home to Cheadle seconds on Saturday. Cheadle posted an impressive 199 for 8, with Drew Carswell, 41 and Moin Shah , 71, leading the way. Stand in skipper Joe Cash took 4 for 40 from fifteen overs for Marple. Once again several Marple batsmen got starts, but no one could make a half century. Jamie Massey, 30 and Gary Cash 33 threatened to win the game, although the pitch was not conducive to free stroke making. Marple got close, closing on 185 for 8, Tom Whiteley taking a restrictive 3 for 40 for Cheadle. Once again, a junior sized short boundary on one side was a curiosity in a second eleven game at Bowden Lane.

Marple thirds received a drubbing at Didsbury on Sunday. Marple did well in the field, with Didsbury restricted to 174 for 9, Tom Reeve 3 for 23, Connor Bergin 2 for 27 and Lewis Braddock 2 for 40. The Marple batting had no answer to Zain Basharat though. He took 5 for 8 in six overs, as the visitors subsided to just 54 all out, only Braddock (12) reaching double figures.

Super Sam Lifts Marple’s Saturday Gloom!

Toft 96 for 4 (21.1 0vers) 25 points beat Marple 93 all out (32.5 overs) 7 points by six wickets

Marple’s talented young allrounder Sam Stretton cheered the club on Sunday, as his terrific matchwinning performance of 83 runs and then a spell of 4 for 17 with the ball, took the third eleven to a fine 35 run win over second placed Stockport Georgians last Sunday at Bowden Lane.

Torrential rain all day Friday, and then a prolonged heavy shower on the morning of the match meant that Marple’s crucial league encounter with Toft was reduced to one of 35 overs per side starting at 3.15pm. In years past, this amount of rain would almost certainly have meant no cricket, but the drainage system in place now, meant a reasonable game could ensue. It was hard to know whether Jim Morgan was happy or not to be inserted after losing the toss. He dropped himself down to number three, and asked Andrew Hall to open up with Paul Wood.

The pitch was two paced and had some uneven bounce due to the rain, but it actually played reasonably well. After a steady start, Marple reaching 44 for 1 in the twelfth over, the introduction of third seamer Will Dunkerley completely undid Marple. Jackson and Forster are an opening attack well known to Marple, but first change Dunkerley not familiar to the side. He bowls at a good medium pace, and has a strong economical action. He consistently hit a length around off stump, and nipped the ball back in to the batsmen. On this day, it was far too good. Maybe the shortened game meant that Marple did not manage formulate a plan against him, but he hit the stumps four times in a remarkable spell of 6 for 10 in just nine overs. It was quite a surprise when Lomas took him off, as he had the rare opportunity of taking 9 wickets in an innings. There was not much to cheer in the Marple innings, although Morgan found the boundary four times in his 18 and Mike Schofield once more showed his improvement with a solid 22. Although batting conditions were never easy, 93 all out was probably 30 to 40 or short of a competitive score.

When Toft replied, the attack of Brown and Wylie was steady, but did not find the movement achieved by Dunkerley. Veteran off spinner Greasley was introduced after just six overs as Marple had to take wickets. He gave the home side a brief glimmer of hope, trapping Drummond, Forster and Craig all lbw. At 39 for 3 Toft had their one wobble of the afternoon.

However, in Rob Sehmi, they have one of the league’s best players. Sehmi is the current Cheshire wicket keeper, and is also a leading run scorer for the county this season. Indeed, he made 122 the following day in the county’s fixture against Shropshire. He judges the length of the ball quickly, and his footwork is out of the top draw. Whilst he was watchful against Greasley, he was not going to allow the maestro to just bowl. A huge six was seemingly just stroked, as some vocal home support tried to raise Marple spirits. He found a willing partner at number five in Jackson who appeared in little difficulty, smiting two mighty sixes of his own. The fourth wicket pair comfortably took the score to 91, before Jackson (29) was well caught from a skier by Brown at long on. Sehmi ended on 29 not out though, and Toft were easy victors by six wickets. For Marple Greasley had a valiant 4 for 29, but that was it. Marple remain second from bottom, and visit Cheadle at Kingsway ne3xt Saturday with an 11.30am start.

It proved to be just the start of a fantastic weekend for Toft, as on the Sunday they defeated Liverpool Competition side Ormskirk to go through to the national club T20 finals day at Derbyshire County Cricket Club.

Toft made it a Saturday double with a seven wicket victory over Marple seconds. After an opening stand of 50 between Sam Stretton (28) and Jonny Marshall (18), it was an all too familiar collapse for Marple. Once again, no batsman could go on, although Tom Headridge impressed with 18 coming in at eight. 103 all out was a poor show. James Hodgson’s off spin proved too good and he finished with 6 for 24. All of the home team’s top four managed starts, and Ewan Williams 24, and Max Nightingale 36 not out, wrapped up a straightforward seven wicket win. Stewart Bass chipped in with 3 for 22 for Marple.

Hyslop Onslaught Swings it Park’s Way!

Oulton Park 153 all out (34 overs) 25 points beat Marple 82 all out (35.3 overs) 4 points by 71 runs

A brutal assault on the bowling by Oulton Park’s powerful all rounder Tom Hyslop took this crucial game away from Marple at scenic Little Budworth in rural Cheshire. This, after they had put the home side under real pressure, chiefly through a penetrative and hostile spell from paceman Liam Brown.

A brisk south westerly wind kept the rain at bay for this lower half of the table clash. On winning the toss, Jim Morgan inserted the home team under leaden skies, and in the hope that his young opening seam attack of Brown and Jack Grundy could make early inroads. Brown, in particular, was a handful for the Park line up. Cheshire skipper Danny Leech was bowled for a duck, and although the imposing Martyn East struck a couple of huge sixes, he soon hit a mistimed drive to mid off, where Max Fitzgerald took a smart catch. At 24 for 2, Marple had the upper hand. Matt Jamieson looked in good order, but after he was struck a painful blow by Brown, his early fluency deserted him. Latham was also struck on the body by Brown, before he edged to keeper Morgan who took a brilliant catch off Grundy at 49 for 3. Ward soon followed in similar fashion to the bowling of Brown for 5 at 54 for 4. The pitch was not unplayable, but had some variable bounce, and there was movement off the seam for all the bowlers.

Hyslop entered the fray at this point, and the remainder of the innings was dominated by him. Jamieson (25), not the same after being laid low, gave Morgan his third catch behind at 77 for 5. Brown had 4 for 41 at this point. Paul Wood, after a loose long hop first ball which was carved over backward point for four by Hyslop, now bowled a canny spell when he replaced Grundy who had supported Brown well with 1 for 30. He nipped in with three quick wickets, and Brown accounted for the free scoring Ben Gibbon to leave Park in tatters at 106 for 9. Hyslop now sensed his moment. He had dealt mainly in boundaries, powerfully driving anything loose, but now upped the ante. It was Brown, now tiring somewhat who suffered mainly under this assault. Number eleven Harry Newton gave stout support, blocking assiduously, as Hyslop flayed the ball to all parts. When he was finally bowled by Wood for 77 attempting a sixth maximum, his Park side were well above par on a tricky surface. Hyslop smote five sixes and nine fours, not being too bothered with singles! The last wicket stand of 47 was the highest of the entire match, and it was an enthusiastic home support that welcomed their hero back to the pavilion. Brown suffered towards the end, and he was obviously fatigued. He ended with 5 for 81. Paul Wood weighed in with a very handy 4 for 27. Jim Morgan also had the rare feat of five catches behind the stumps.

Marple’s reply never threatened this total. Ben Gibbon, the young left arm quick bowler, was encouraged to hit just short of a good length. His accuracy, no doubt grooved in the Old Trafford nets, was a real problem for Marple. With the ball inconsistent in bounce, run scoring proved nigh on impossible. Gibbon has played for Lancashire’s second team, and has also performed well for Cheshire this season. However, it was East who picked up the first two wickets. Morgan fretted during his short stay, and after hitting a straight six off East to get off the mark, he mistimed a pull to be comfortably caught by keeper Kettle running towards square leg. Wood was yorked soon afterwards, and at 6 for 2, and the bowling tight and hostile, victory looked a very long shot.
Marple’s only partnership of note came from Mark Makin (30) and Mike Schofield (16). They added 45 to take Marple to 73 for 4. Max Fitzgerald had earlier once again shown promise in making 12, but got a little ahead of himself, hitting a return catch to East. When Gibbon returned for a second spell, he was far too much for Marple’s lower order, and Hyslop also picked up three wickets along the way with his skiddy medium pace. Gibbon polished off the tail in short order to finish with 4 for 14 from 11 overs. Medium pacers East and Hyslop had 3 for 27 and 3 for 16 respectively in solid support.

Marple are now in a precarious position in the Cheshire County League, remaining second from bottom with five games remaining. Toft, the side just above them, visit Bowden Lane next Saturday with a 12.30pm start.


Marple seconds were also soundly beaten by a strong Oulton Park second eleven at Bowden Lane. In a rain reduced game, Park reached an excellent 180 for 8 declared in 38 overs. Andy Mills 45, Jimmy Guest 52 and Owen Williamson 39 had the upper hand, but Joel Greasley 4 for 40, Sam Stretton 2 for 30 and Greg Marsland 1 for 34 did well for Marple. Off spinner Connor Bergin was wicketless in his 0 for 38 from ten overs, but had to treated with respect by the batsmen.

Although four of Marple’s top five got good starts, reaching the teens and the twenties, no player was able to stay around long enough to mount an attempt at victory. Bergin stubbornly held on with 7 not out, but Richard Smith 4 for 11, and veteran seamer Andy Hards 3 for 9 always had Marple under control. A curious feature of this game was the decision to use a junior size boundary on one side of the ground. The Marple ground is a large one, and the pitch was centrally located. This oddity could not aid Marple in their victory quest though, and 105 all out was a disappointment. The side are still in good shape in the league though, despite a couple of tough defeats against the top two teams.


It was a triple defeat weekend for Marple as the thirds also succumbed at Sale last Sunday. Viraj Sorathia with 107 not out, carried his bat as Sale reached an imposing 192 for 6. There was a terrific debut for Marple though from U15 player Adam Garside. He took a fantastic 4 for 30 to remove the Sale middle order. In reply Marple could only muster 112 all out. Lewis Braddock, with 34, once again impressed, and Jonny Monk continued his improvement with a gutsy 18 coming in at number 9. The wickets were shared amongst the Sale bowlers.

Lacklustre Marple No Match For League Leaders!

Chester Boughton Hall 136 for 2 (28.3 overs) 25 points beat Marple 134 all out (54 overs) 2 points by 8 wickets

This game was not a close contest, and Marple were on the back foot immediately, as skipper Jim Morgan and Andy Paulett were dismissed for golden ducks in Lloyd Aspin’s first over to leave the home side 1 for 2, and already looking down the barrel.

This precarious start came after Morgan had won the toss and elected to bat first after a week of some of the heaviest rainfall seen in the area in living memory. Remarkably, the Marple ground was in fair condition, as the new drainage system had left the outfield in fantastic shape. The ground staff had done an incredible job on the actual pitch, and whilst it was slow and had a green colour, it played pretty well, gradually easing throughout the afternoon. Morgan’s reasoning was fair enough, as sides have had the very devil of a job winning games batting second at Bowden Lane this season.

Not unnaturally after such a bad start, Paul Wood and Liam Brown played circumspectly for a period, and visiting skipper Rick Moore soon changed to a two pronged spin attack. First it was young and emerging slow left armer Charlie Fleet, and then the more experienced but still young leg spinner Jack Williams. It was Fleet who had a stranglehold on the Marple batting, and at one point he bowled six consecutive maidens. Wood and Brown showed good application though and added 49 runs for the third wicket. Wood has looked to be  Marple’s most secure batsman in recent weeks, and here he once again set a fine example, making a stubborn 41. Brown (24) gave good support, and the middle order of Makin and Schofield also weighed in with scores on the 20’s. Although they ensured that Marple batted almost the full quota of overs, no player was able to dominate the Chester spin twins. Fleet’s metronomic accuracy (he took 3 for 23 from 17 overs) was rewarded with the wickets of Wood, Brown and Makin, whilst Williams, although more expensive, bamboozled the tail to finish with 3 for 57 from 16 overs. 134 all out against the strongest batting line up in the league was way under par, even though Marple had defended a similar total against Alderley Edge a fortnight ago.

This time though, the bowling was not accurate enough. A mixed bag was served up, and with two of the county’s best at the top of the order in Moore and Goodwin, a rapid start ensued. It was not enough that some good deliveries were bowled, as there was always a get out delivery for the batsmen, with bowlers of all types erring in length and direction. A ten wicket win looked to be odds on, but Ed Saxelby, in his initial first eleven game this season, induced Moore, Marple’s nemesis once again with a hard hit 59, to play slightly too early and he was well caught by Paulett at mid on at 96 for 1. Saxelby ran in well for his 1 for 21, but Chester were in no mood to hang about. Although Greasley deceived and bowled Jamie Crawley for just 13 at 115 for 2, Goodwin with 46 not out and Alex Money 13 not out, brought up the inevitable win by eight wickets, plenty of overs remaining.

This was always likely to be a tough fixture for Marple, but they will be disappointed to not have competed as well as they would have liked, or indeed are capable of doing. It was far too comfortable a victory for Chester. Marple will hope that they can repeat the feat of bouncing back strongly after each of the heavy defeats they have suffered this season. They remain next to bottom in the league, and have a crucial away fixture next Saturday at fellow strugglers Oulton Park, 12.30pm start.

Marple seconds were defeated by seven wickets in their fixture at Chester Boughton Hall last Saturday. Marple totalled 162 all out, with Andy Wild top scoring with 39. Andy Massey hit 35 and Tim Radford 27. There were a number of other double figure scores, but no player made the necessary half century that could have seen a score around 200 posted.  Matt Brayne took 4 for 45 for Chester.

Chester seconds are also top of the second eleven premier division, and are a traditionally strong side. Matt Griffiths has first team premier league experience at the top of the order, and his 67 set Chester on course. Although wickets fell to Joel Greasley and Sam Stretton to leave the home side on 50 for 2, Griffiths, in company with Metcalf, 55 not out, took his side well past the hundred mark. After Griffiths fell to Andy Massey at 114 for 3, Wyatt with 22 not out saw that victory was achieved without further loss.

Dan Cox, 13 not out and Tom Headridge, 1 not out, ensured a draw for Marple thirds against Toft thirds on Sunday. Toft made a challenging 221 for 7, with openers Tom Maddock (68) and David Blackburn (70) adding 150 for the first wicket. A remarkable spell of 5 for 15 from fourth change bowler Lewis Braddock kept Toft at bay though, and Marple were in the game at the tea interval.  Wickets fell regularly in the reply though, although Braddock must have thought it was really going to be his day before he was unluckily run out for 21. Tom Travis hit a fine 43, but Marple never threatened to win the game, ending on 141 for 9, the two young players showing admirable character in not giving up their wickets.