Sale 144 for 3 (41.4 overs) 25 points beat Marple 140 for 9 (47.2 overs) 5 points by seven wickets
Sale’s Dane Road ground has undergone major changes in the last couple of years, and it now looks to be one of the best venues in the league. A superb new pavilion, and protective netting on the east side of the ground have totally transformed the place. From Marple’s perspective however, events that occurred when the visiting side was in the relatively comfortable position of 103 for 2, with plenty of overs remaining in the innings, made them feel the shortish trip to south Manchester had not been a welcome one. In 2017 On Marple’s last visit to Sale, key seamer Andy Wylie badly injured his knee and missed the remainder of the 2017 season, and all of the following one also.
Legendary Marple and Cheshire batsman Andrew Hall was standing in as captain for the absent Jim Morgan. On a glorious late May afternoon he won the toss and elected to take first knock. He and James Crisall made good progress against a steady if not especially penetrative Sale attack of Layton and Newton. The pitch was placid, but not that easy to score quickly on. Unless, that is, you are Andrew Hall. Hall was master of all he surveyed. No home bowler was able to trouble him, and young North of England slow left arm spinner Isaac Brooks was despatched for an effortless straight six. Crisall added 43 with Hall for the first wicket, but once more when set, a loose shot against Newton proved his undoing.
Paul Wood, at three this week, was not fluent, but he stayed with Hall whilst 37 more were added. However, just as he looked like establishing himself, he flashed at left arm seamer Lawrence, and was smartly taken by keeper Canning. The third wicket stand between Hall and Fitzgerald proceeded in similar fashion until Fitzgerald was well caught and bowled by Sale’s second spinner, the offer James Dodds. Still, 103 for 3 was not too bad, with Hall dominating on 70, and Makin to come. Disaster now struck. Makin was run out for nought after a mix up with Hall, who was caught on the back foot. Non striker Makin, three quarters of the way down the wicket, had no chance of getting home. However, Hall, in turning sharply, fell awkwardly. He looked to be in real pain, and retired hurt. The prognosis was that he had probably torn a calf muscle, and will miss a number of games.
103 for 4 became 103 for 5 immediately as Ed Saxelby was loose against Lawrence and caught behind. A total calamity was prevented as George Clarke hit a lusty 18, and Connor Ramsay was undefeated on 13. However, 140 was still below par in benign conditions. For Sale, Tyrone Lawrence was canny and accurate, and he ended with 4 for 25 from fourteen overs and four maidens.
After the tea interval, Jack Grundy maintained his knack of picking up an early wicket. This time it was Battersby for a duck, easily taken my Makin, keeping wicket again after an absence behind the timbers of several seasons. This early success proved a false dawn for Marple though, as the impressive Lawrence strode to the crease. There can be few, if any, more powerful players in the top two tiers of Cheshire cricket than this impressive left hander. Not only does he have the power, he times the ball beautifully, and he imposed himself on proceedings at once. Anything in his “arc” was dismissed with ease, and one six straight driven from Wylie, was not much more than a checked drive. It sailed out of the park. It was ominous for Marple.
However, Joe Cash once more was right on target. Viraj Sorathyia is a technically correct batsman, and he helped add 80 runs with Lawrence for the second wicket. His share was just 20, but maybe he wanted to show his own range of strokes, and misjudged a drive off Cash to be well caught by Grundy at mid on.
Whilst never threatening to gain control of the game, Marple’s luck was certainly out. Sub fielder for Andrew Hall, Isaac Brooks shelled an absolute dolly from Lawrence, who had reined himself in after his explosive start, off George Clarke’s second delivery. Cash did deservedly pick up his second wicket soon afterwards though when Lawrence was very well held at extra cover by Ramsay, having dominated proceedings with 71 out 93 for 3. The door was very slightly open for Marple now, but the fourth wicket pair of Gareth Davies and Dan Newton batted with good application. Davies, in particular played some pleasant strokes once established, and there were no further alarms as victory was achieved with ten overs to spare. Joe Cash was excellent with 2 for 27 and Makin was immaculate as ever behind the stumps.
This proved to be another trying day for Marple, in what is shaping up to be a very competitive division one this season. Next Saturday, 5th June, they face old rivals Bramhall at Bowden Lane, 12.00 noon start. Bramhall are another side that have had a tricky start to the season, but Marple will have to show some character. With the injury to Hall, and other unavoidable absences, opportunities are there for players to put up their hands and “grasp the nettle.” Will they be able to do it?
A good game of second team cricket saw Marple hang on to a losing bonus points draw against Oulton Park at Bowden Lane on Saturday. Park put up a solid 181 for 7 in the 50 overs, with the Marple seamers Chalmers, Stretton and Tom Reeve all bowling impressively. Stretton had 3 for 19 and Reeve 2 for 29.
Against an experienced visiting attack, Marple did pretty well in trying to chase down a tough target. Mike Schofield continued his return from a nasty injury with a fine 54, and Mark Nicholson looked good for 26. However, the really big match winning individual score eluded batters of both sides as the pitch assisted the bowlers throughout. Good temperament from Tom Reeve, 12 not out, and Greg Marsland, 2 not out, meant that defeat was avoided.
Marple/Compstall thirds continued their fine start to the season with a comfortable 49 run win at Bramhall last Sunday. A solid batting card saw Marple post a very challenging 172 for 4 in the 40 overs, Will Darby 30, Jamie Massey 39, Sam Stretton 39, Chris Sullivan 20 and Will Cheetham 27 not out. When Bramhall replied, only Charlie Smith, with 57, offered much resistance as all Marple’s six bowlers used did an excellent job, the wickets being shared evenly.
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