Morgan Ploughs Lone Furrow, as AJ Master Class Downs Marple!

 Brooklands 196 all out (47.3 overs) 25 points beat Marple 107 all out (34.4 overs) 4 points by 89 runs

 

Marple’s first visit to Brooklands in over a decade ended with the home side inflicting a heavy defeat over the visitors by the sizeable margin of 89 runs on another gloriously sunny late April afternoon

Brooklands skipper Jack Bagshaw elected to bat first, the large expanses of the Whitehill Road ground never having looked in better condition. Appearances can be deceptive though, for despite having the look of being batsman friendly, there was plenty in the pitch to interest the seam bowlers. The ball did not come readily on to the bat, and there was some variable bounce. However, Marple’s opening attack of Jack Grundy and Mudassar Panchbhaya, whilst bowling some good deliveries, were possibly striving too hard to bowl the “magic ball.” Both men were guilty of serving up a mixed bag, and the opening batsmen for Brooklands, Alex Edwards and Dave Cunliffe feasted on some wayward bowling. The outfield was like greased lightning, and anything that pierced the infield raced away to the boundary. Although Joe Cash, who came on as first change, settled immediately, the first wicket pair added 65 runs in quick time. This partnership had Marple on the back foot, and with the ground fielding not up to the usual level, it looked as though a long afternoon in the field chasing leather was in prospect.

It is to Marple’s credit that they did drag themselves back into the game. After a nervous initial over, Ed Saxelby bowled an excellent spell replacing Grundy. He removed both openers, Edwards for 36 and Cunliffe for 22. He also, fortunately, picked up the scalp of the hard hitting South African Kevin Carroll (29), who chipped a full toss to mid off, where Grundy took a safe catch. Carroll had earlier despatched Joe Cash for two massive sixes, and looked in ominous touch. Age restrictions meant that Saxelby had to be rested after seven overs, but he had done a good job.

 George Clarke continued the good work though with a fine spell. He took four wickets in his ten over stint, and ended with 4 for 32, as Marple clawed their way back. At 154 for 8, they were almost on an even keel. Then, for the second week running, a fine undefeated innings from a middle order batsman, on this occasion Tom Starkes (41 not out), took the game away from Marple. Starkes looked as good as any batsman at the top of the order, and with gutsy support from the tail, took the total up to 196 before Mudassar took a brilliant caught and bowled to end the innings. Andrew Hall pouched three good catches at first slip for the visitors.

Whilst Marple had come back well, taking eight wickets for 89, the final tally looked to be some way above a par score considering the variable nature of the pitch. In A.J Hart, Brooklands have a seasoned opening bowler. Strongly built, with a good repeatable action, he knew exactly the length to bowl on his home turf. AJ managed to consistently hit that area around off stump, and just short of driving length. No Marple batsman was comfortable against him. Hall, lbw for 2, and Fitzgerald, caught behind for a duck, went in his second over. Crisall was joined by Jim Morgan, who began with a flurry of boundaries off AJ’s partner Leach. It looked a different game at the other end, and with Crisall looking secure, Marple began to repair the early damage. Crisall’s first mistake cost him his wicket though, as he carved a rare wide delivery from AJ to point when on 19 to leave Marple 45 for 3. Paul Wood, at five, is not a lucky batsman. Maybe bowlers up their game when this quality performer appears at the crease, but he rarely gets any “freebies.” Today was no exception, as AJ and his namesake Chris Hart, the off spinner, kept Wood pinned down.  Wood battled for 30 minutes for a solitary single, Morgan doing the scoring, before falling lbw to AJ. It was downhill after this point for Marple, although Saxelby looked secure in company with his skipper. A brilliant direct hit run out from Cunliffe at square leg did for Saxelby (6). The tail was blown away again, by Chris Hart, and the end was not long coming at 107 all out.

All the while, Jim Morgan played a lone hand for Marple. He ended on 75 with ten fours, being the ninth wicket to fall, comfortably the highest score of the game. He played some glorious strokes all round the wicket, and was solid in his defence. 

The winning post of 197 was always a long way off, and without any real help at the other end, he could not win the match on his own. For Brooklands, AJ Hart, with 5 for 24 from 13 overs, showed the age old virtues of line and length, never striving too hard, but maintaining the pressure at all times. Chris Hart, was also accurate, and he had slightly flattering figures of 4 for 30, the tail offering little resistance.

Marple are back at Bowden Lane next Saturday, May 1^st, when they face another South Manchester side in Urmston, 12 noon start.

 

Marple seconds were also comfortably defeated by 71 runs in their home fixture with Wirral side Neston. In the visitors’ substantial 231 for 4 declared in 47 overs, there were two centurions, the two Matthews; Strong, with 110, and Brookes with 100 not out. The Marple bowlers toiled manfully, Kaiser Chowdry again picking up a couple wickets in his 2 for 52.

When Marple replied, several players got good starts, but were not able to go on and get the big score to threaten a win. Matt Barrow top scored with 44, skipper Bergin showed his development as an all rounder with 28, Mark Nicholson looked good for 22 and James Hirst weighed in with 20. A draw was almost earned, but the tenth wicket fell with four overs remaining.

 

A high scoring game of T20 cricket saw Marple/Compstall thirds make it a hat trick of defeats for the Bowden Lane club over the weekend.

Hyde thirds blasted a commanding 169 for 7, with Hatley taking 2 for 20 for Marple.  Faced with chasing this daunting total, Marple mustered a creditable 131 for 9, Will Darby 48 not out, and Andy Massey 26.

Cool Arthur Steers Grappenhall Home in Tense Opener

 Marple 176 all out (48 overs) 9 points lost to Grappenhall 177 for 8 (43.2 overs) 25 points by two wickets.

A mature innings of 37 not out, under pressure, from Grappenhall’s impressive middle order batsman Arthur Pennington guided the visitors to a narrow two wicket win at Bowden Lane last Saturday. This, after a superb spell of 4 for 29 from Marple’s off spinner Joe Cash had turned the game the home side’s way.

 

Marple and Grappenhall were both relegated from the Cheshire County Premier League at the end of the last full pre Covid season in 2019. On a glorious mid April afternoon, the ground superbly presented by groundsman Mike Hibbert on the first weekend of the new season, they met again. For both sides, this game was likely to provide a template as to how their respective seasons in division one might pan out. The two clubs have been pretty evenly matched over the years, dating back to Cheshire Cup meetings in the 1980’s and also a terrific challenge match played between the respective champions of the Cheshire County League and Manchester Association in 1988, Marple edging that game by just one run. On winning the toss, Marple skipper Jim Morgan elected to take first knock, and he was soon very glad that the coin had come down in his favour. A rejuvenated Andrew Hall was in prime touch, and his partner, restored to the first team after a number of seasons in second team cricket, was James Crisall. The pair showed class and experience, with some glorious strokeplay on a good Marple track. The Grappenhall opening attack of the slippery Aaron McCabe and the canny Sam Guest is a good one, but here they were mastered by Hall and Crisall. They added 90 quality runs, before Crisall (44) fell to first change seamer Lewis Porter. Max Fitzgerald, at three, immediately settled with Hall, and they took the total to 120, before Fitzgerald (24) was bowled, also by Porter, an innings rich in promise. Morgan (0) and Ramsay (4) both then went quickly to leave Marple on 124 for 4, the good start squandered. 

Ed Saxelby settled in well with Hall, and it looked as though the innings might be revived. However, at 143, Hall (61) mistimed a pull from a rare Guest long hop and dollied a catch to mid on. It had been a fine start for Hall, his timing and placement as of old. Mudassar Panchbhaya (10) looked secure in company with Saxleby (24), who played some pleasing strokes, but they both went at 170. The tail was blown away in quick time by the deceptive left arm seamer Josh Hayes, who ended with an excellent 5 for 29. 

A disappointing finish to the innings for Marple, but with run chasing always challenging at Bowden Lane, they had the runs on the board, and were well in the game. 

 

After the tea interval, the cricket was keenly contested. Skipper Adam Roylance has a good record against Marple, and his partner, the experienced Yorkshireman Peter Barnes notched a century on his last visit to Bowden Lane. However, Jack Grundy was right in the groove for Marple. He bowled a testing line and length, causing concern for both batsmen. His partner, the veteran Andy Wylie, whilst not quite as accurate had no luck initially, both batsmen edging him through the slips for fours. Grundy had a deserved early victim when Barnes, never comfortable today, was yorked for 5. This brought to the crease Grappenhall’s marquee signing, the former Gloucestershire and Kwa-Zulu Natal first class batsman Grant Hodnett. He looked to be in imperious form immediately, effortlessy lacing Wylie for consecutive boundaries off front and back foot. However, just as it appeared Wylie must be rested, Marple’s skilful operator produced an absolute beauty to deceive and bowl Hodnett for just 16. At 44 for 2, it was an even contest. Will Fell, coincidentally a colleague of Ed Saxelby at Birmingham University, looked a stylish player at four, and he settled with Roylance, who mixed up some superb boundaries with two very close calls for lbw against Wylie.

From Marple’s point of view, the game now seemed to drift somewhat. Morgan persevered with his opening attack, but the batsmen were relatively comfortable, and runs came at an excellent rate, boundaries scorching across the fast outfield. The bowling was changed, and Joe Cash soon found the right pace at which to bowl. Maybe Fell had become a little over confident, for he played all round one and was palpably lbw to Cash. Two balls later, former Lancashire batsman Richard Green was comprehensively bowled for a duck. Cash looked unstoppable. George Clarke, in support, at the other end, was not quite able to keep up the pressure though, and Arthur Pennington was able to get a start, whilst Roylance continued on his merry way. Cash’s terrific spell continued though as he bowled both Roylance (67) and Albert Pennington (7). Marple were in with a real shot of pulling off the victory, but Arthur Pennington now showed his true colours. Not a “pretty” player, he was mighty effective, mixing solid defence and showed fine judgement as to when to attack. His running between the wickets was also good. Mudassar Panchbhaya bowled a steady spell in support of Cash, gaining the wicket of Albert Pennington, but Arthur (37 not out), with good support from McCabe (7 not out), took his side to victory by two wickets in the 44^th over.

Ultimately, this was a disappointment for Marple, albeit against what is surely one of the stronger sides in the division. The loss of nine wickets for just 56 runs, after such a promising beginning proved costly. However, Joe Cash’s superb spell of 4 for 29 almost pulled off a fine win. Maybe Morgan could have mixed up his attack a little more, but Arthur Pennington was not to be denied. Marple visit Brooklands next Saturday, 12 noon start. They will be buoyed by the competitive start they made to the season in this game, and also by the prospect of a return to the side of several quality and experienced players after injuries and family issues.

 

Marple seconds made the long trip to Nantwich on Saturday. As was the case with the first team, they made an excellent start, but from 78 for one fell away to just 113 all out. Sam Stretton,  47, Mark Nicholson, 13, and Matt Barrow, 20, had laid a good base for the innings, but inexperience in the lower order against good bowling proved to be side’s undoing, the returning James Hirst with 11 being the exception.  Simon Dimelow with 5 for 41 was the main destroyer for Nantwich.

Although the home side won by eight wickets, after a solid start form openers Chris Simpson, 35, and Jake Pearson, 55 not out, Marple bowled and fielded impressively. New captain Connor Bergin bowled a tight spell of 11 overs for 22, and Marple newcomer Kaiser Chowdrey impressed with both wickets to fall taking 2 for 24 on debut.

 

A terrific game of T20 cricket between two excellent third teams saw Marple/Compstall defeat Heaton Mersey by the slender margin of just six runs at Bowden Lane last Sunday. Matt Leech, 58, and Will Darby, 35, added 108 for the third wicket. The remaining batsmen chipped in and 127 for 5 was a useful score. 

In the reply wickets fell at regular intervals, all the home bowlers doing a good job. When it looked as though a comfortable win for the home side would ensue, Waqar Rashid, 22 not out, and Akhil Kamath, 26 not out from just 12 deliveries, almost pulled off a win for the visitors. Sam Stretton with 3 for 24 was Marple/Compstall’s most successful bowler, and he was well supported by Connor Bergin, Sam Saxelby, and Andy Massey who all had a wicket apiece. Mersey ended on 121 for 6.