Marple’s fate was sealed with two games of a difficult season left to be played. They did, however, battle hard against two strong sides in Neston and Hyde, showing good spirit in both matches.
The home defeat to Nantwich on 31st August meant that Marple will play their cricket in division one of the Cheshire County League in 2020. This was always likely to be tough fixture against the reigning champions, who were also finalists in the National Club finals due to be played at Lords cricket ground on September 16th.
After this game there remained two away fixtures to be played, glorious September sunshine gracing both matches. At Neston, the batting finally functioned well on a superb pitch over on the Wirral. A total of 208 for 7 was competitive, with Andrew Hall finding some form to hit a very welcome 53. Max Fitzgerald continued his development with a fine 37, coming in at number three, where he displayed courage and skill in combating the pace of the league’s quickest Ash Davis. Mark Makin has been Marple’s leading batsman over the season, and here he played with admirable responsibility, hitting an attractive 41, adding 65 with Fitzgerald for the fourth wicket, and then 60 with Hall for the fifth. When Neston replied, they lost wickets regularly to Grundy, Brown, Greasley, and also Ed Saxelby who bowled a fine spell of 2 for 30. Unfortunately for Marple though, it was South African all rounder Mike Eckard’s day. In the Marple knock he took 4 for 42 with his naggingly accurate off spin. Then, when his side was in some trouble at 122 for 6, he took the game by the scruff of the neck. Ash Davis (24 not out) gave good and solid support as Eckard (62 not out) pressed the accelerator. The pair added 87 without looking in too much difficulty to bring up a hard earned four wicket win for the home team.
At Hyde’s scenic Werneth Low ground, the sun also shone for the final game of the season. However, this time, wet weather in the build up to the fixture meant that the pitch used gave considerable assistance to bowlers of all types. Greasley bowled a masterful spell, achieving substantial turn and grip from the surface. He took a fantastic 7 for 48 in 16.5 overs as Hyde were all out for 169. In the Hyde knock, there were two cameo innings that tilted the game Hyde’s way. Firstly, young Lancashire star George Balderson hit a belligerent 34, and then, coming in at number ten, Dan Cranmer whacked a free and easy 31 not out to help his side post a good total in challenging batting conditions. Earlier, the opening stand of 36 between Hyde’s fine young players, skipper Tom Partridge (16) and Luke Young (20) got the home side away to a good start.
The Hyde bowling attack is amongst the very best in the league, and on this surface they were not going to be denied. Wood and Morgan were both comprehensively bowled, and veteran seamer Jason Whittaker, in particular, was a handful. The umpires gave their fingers a proper work out as five batsmen were adjudged lbw. Only Hall with 31, Paulett, 20, Fitzgerald 14 and Saxleby 11 not out reached double figures as Marple could respond with just 105 all out. The first two mentioned here added 41 for the seventh wicket to give Marple a faint hope, but it was the sort of day when there was always a ball with the batsman’s name on it waiting around the corner. Whittaker had an immaculate 3 for 25, left arm spinner Cranmer 3 for 35 and Luke Young impressed with his left arm over the wicket skiddy seamers to clean up with 2 for 4. Cole Turner, with 1 for 14, chipped in with the vital wicket of Hall at 87 for 7.
Garry Signs Off!
The Cheshire County League’s all time leading run scorer Garry Cash played his final game of cricket when Marple seconds entertained Neston seconds. It could not have gone better for Cash senior, as the side raised itself to win the game by three wickets in a low scoring battle. Garry himself made just fifteen, but his son Joe was acting captain on the day. Joe took four wickets and then hit 38 not out as Marple reached 117 for 7 to win the game and secure their status in the Cheshire County second eleven premier league. Marple’s third eleven also confirmed their Sunday premier league survival after the season’s final game at Stockport Georgians last Sunday. Georgians were dismissed for just 95, Jack Grundy 4 for 17, and Tom Reeve 2 for 27. In reply Marple coasted to a seven wicket win in just 20 overs, Matt Leech 38, Grundy 29 and Sam Stretton 23.
Whilst dropping out of the top level of Cheshire cricket is a disappointment for Marple, there is much good cricket to be played in division one. There will be more opportunity to give younger players extra responsibility, and with a good blend of youth and experience, there is no reason that the side cannot be competitive. The premier league has been tough this season, with consistent run scoring proving difficult for most teams. In a wet second half of the summer, it is no coincidence that the champions are Chester Boughton Hall, with Wirral club Neston finishing runners up. Chester have certainly been the best side this season, but the damper weather in the east has not generally helped teams from that part of the county.
