Wylie Burst Before Warrington Backlash Downs Marple

 Marple 111 all out (32.5 overs) 4 points lost to Warrington 172 for 8 (50 overs) 25 points by 61 runs 

 

A superb spell of 6 for 43 from Marple’s skilled and experienced seam bowler Andy Wylie was not enough to prevent what was eventually a heavy defeat against fellow strugglers Warrington at Bowden Lane last Saturday.

Mark Bennett was the latest stand in captain for Marple, and on winning the toss he decided to field first on another glorious June afternoon. The pitch appeared whitish, but was, once again, no paradise for the batsmen. Andy Wylie reduced the visitors to 25 for 5 in no time, with control accuracy and nip off the pitch. However, a stand of 99 for the sixth wicket between Tom Higham and Rohan Luthra rescued Warrington. Higham initially eschewed all risk, leaving the attacking to his partner. Marple let the pair off the hook though, with a number of chances being shelled. Luthra was the first to be dismissed at 124 for 6, but then Higham unleashed his own strokes, including one of the biggest sixes seen at Bowden Lane in recent seasons. 172 for 8 was riches indeed, and the Marple fielders were noticeably despondent at the break, despite the excellence of Wylie and also the consistency of Joe Cash who picked up 2 for 43 from 14 accurate overs.

The Marple reply never got going. The slippery Josh Liddle had the rarity of an early triple wicket maiden to leave Marple’s brittle batting in tatters. Only a stand of 40 for the seventh wicket between Connor Ramsey (42) and Jack Grundy (19) gave Marple any semblance of respectability. Ramsey played probably his best innings for the first eleven here, and looked at ease relative to the other batsmen. He was secure in defence, and timed the ball beautifully with a number of pleasant boundaries. 

Grundy gave good support, but would have been disappointed to chip a simple catch back to Liddle when the paceman returned for a second spell. To be bowled out in just 32.5 overs for the mythical total of “Nelson” on such a fine afternoon was hugely disappointing. Certainly the batsmen had to be watchful on this pitch, but the opportunities to score were there if players were patient. 

The fore finger of one of the match officials was certainly exercised more than usual this game, but any question of bias would be unfair. Both sides felt the effects, and the Warrington lower order proved more capable of rescuing the situation.  Certainly though, crucial injuries and unavoidable absences have had a knock on effect for Marple this season, but hopefully these will be resolved by the time the second half of the season commences. Next week sees a visit to the always attractive ground at Bowdon, with a 12 noon start.

 

Marple seconds received a severe thrashing at neighbours Hyde at Werneth Low. Hyde clattered a monumental 298 for 7, with veteran Rob Brierley 92, Hri Nath 52 and Charlie Hewitt a brutal 64. All the Marple bowlers came under the hammer. After this mauling there was little stomach for the fight, and Marple subsided for just 79, Lewis Braddock with 34 the sole shining light. Steve White took 4 for 26 for Hyde.

 

Marple thirds made it a weekend of grim batting performances being shedded for just 100 in reply Cheadle’s 143 all out at Bowden Lane. Marple’s lower order of Will Cheetham, 26, Andy Gichero, 13 and Rob Hatley, 19 prevented a complete rout, but Cheadle all rounders Moin Shah, 40 and 3 for 30 and Josh Trickett 31 not out and 4 for 24 were too hot for Cheadle. Once more, chasing even a modest total at Bowden Lane proved very tough after Ed Saxelby with 3 for 20 and Andy Massey 4 for 36 had got Marple into a decent position at the tea interval.

 

Marple’s U/19 T20 side was the one team to bring cheer with an eight wicket trouncing of Stockport Georgians last Thursday. Georgians rattled up a decent 153, but Sam Stretton and Jacob Noakes both smashed brutal and identical scores of 53 to give Marple victory with almost six overs remaining.

Mark and Max Show Lifts Marple!

 Marple 212 all out (50 overs) 15 points, had a winning draw against Macclesfield 188 for 9 (50 overs) 8 points 

 

Marple had not played at Macclesfield since a memorable game at Victoria Road back in 2017 saw Marple promoted to the Cheshire County Premier League. Although both teams are now in division one, this latest encounter was another good game of cricket to go with the many between the clubs in past seasons.

Despite the weather being once more glorious, Macc skipper James Cross elected to field first. With James Crisall an early victim, he maybe thought the under strength, on paper, Marple line up would be vulnerable. However, Will Darby, although never a first team regular, has plenty of experience, and also a good technique against the new ball. He and Jim Morgan steadied the ship after the fall of Crisall, both players finding the boundary with attractive strokes. Although neither player went on to a big score, they both did useful jobs, Darby falling to the persevering Bradshaw for 15 at 34, and Morgan for 21, at 66 for 3, to Chris Moores.

This was a crucial time in the game, but Mark Makin, out of form and luck so far this season, seized the moment. When on song, there are few more attractive players to watch, and with Max Fitzgerald settling in securely, the fourth wicket partnership took root. This stand of 76 excellent runs was one of Marple’s best partnerships of the season so far. Makin was dominant, striking 11 fours and a huge six in a superb knock of 67. A really welcome return to form for his side this. In each game so far this season, there has been one half century for Marple. What a difference when there are two! Max Fitzgerald’s growing maturity was there to see in this lovely innings of 64. He was supportive of Makin when first coming to the crease, but as the score increased, played some delightful strokes, hitting eight fours. He was well supported by Sam Stretton who made a confident 20, and the two added 34 for the sixth wicket. The lower order eked out a few between them, and a final tally of 212 was Marple’s highest of the season, and ensured maximum batting points. For Macc, opening bowler Miles Bradshaw was impressive with 5 for 56.

 When the home side replied, Andy Wylie picked up an early wicket, that of Thomson caught behind by Morgan for 5. Now, it was time for Macclesfield’s batters to shine. Chris France, 41, and Jack Mattsson, 45, added 81 for the second wicket. Marple’s attack, buoyed by the win the previous week against Bramhall, did not panic though, and kept to the basics. Joe Cash is on song this season, and he is certainly proving to be a handful for all opposition players. Today he was held back by Morgan, but when introduced he immediately settled. George Clarke, although a little expensive this game, picked up the key wicket of France. Cash then got to work, ripping out the middle order, and Macc were up against it. Harry Elms made a rapid 36, but Marple were the only side likely to win now. The overs were running out, and Brad Porter and Cross showed good temperament in keeping Marple at bay. Makin picked up a late wicket, to leave the score on 188 for 9, and Marple will be pretty pleased to come away with maximum draw points and general domination of the game at a ground often tricky for opposition sides. The excellent Cash had 4 for 38, Wylie 2 for 39, Grundy a testing 1 for 34, Clarke 1 for 52 and Makin 1 for 20.

Marple are back at Bowden Lane next Saturday, 19^th June with a 12.00 start against Warrington. They will be wary of a possible backlash, the mid Cheshire side having been soundly thrashed in their last two games. 

Bennett Class Steers Marple to First Win!

 Marple 139 for 5 (31.3 overs) 25 points beat Bramhall 136 all out (47.1 overs) 4 points by five wickets 

 

A match winning innings of 57 from Marple’s stylish left hander Mark Bennett, guided the home side to a comprehensive victory over near neighbours Bramhall on a glorious early June afternoon at Bowden Lane. This, after a very solid performance in the field, the home attack, led by Jack Grundy and Joe Cash, doing an excellent job in dismissing the visitors for a below par total.

The Marple ground was in superb condition, the outfield super quick, and the pitch had a lightish brown appearance. It looked as though batting first was going to be a big advantage, and Bramhall’s experienced skipper Nick Cantello had no hesitation in taking first knock on winning the toss. However, despite openers Clark and Dixon getting the ball away to the boundary early on, both Grundy and Andy Wylie bowled testing spells. The duo each picked up a wicket, and of the top order, only Rishi Kannah (34) at three, appeared secure. The out of touch line up was never on top of Marple’s accurate attack, and only Ryan Macchiocchi with 35, low in the order at number eight, showed the necessary application. The pitch was not the proverbial “shirt front” it appeared, but played progressively easier as the afternoon wore on.

For Marple, Jack Grundy once more bowled an excellent spell. He had to be watched at all times, being quick enough, and also finding movement away from the right handers.  Wylie was accurate, and when Joe Cash was introduced at the pavilion end, he was once more right on the mark, rattling through his overs in quick tempo and causing problems mainly with flight and guile. When Grundy was rested, George Clarke gave good support to Cash, despite being wicketless. His eight overs cost just eleven runs. Macchiocchi, famous for having the very rare feature of two double “c’s” in his surname, was last out, run out by an excellent throw from Max Fitzgerald. Grundy finished with 4 for 44 from 15 overs, Cash had 4 for 37 and Wylie 1 for 24. Morgan, back behind the stumps, pouched three safe catches.

Against the youthful attack of Latter and Anson, Marple openers Crisall and Morgan, both looked in decent order, although the lively Latter delivered a fine spell. Quicker than he looks, and with a smooth and easy action, the batsmen could take no liberties with him. Once again, it was Crisall’s (14) first error that caused his downfall when at 20 when he tried to cut a ball from Latter that was too close to him, and was taken behind by Dixon. This brought in Mark Bennett, in only his second innings of the season. He was the one batsman in the game to show real fluency. He settled immediately, playing some glorious strokes with a mixture of timing and power. The threat of first change bowler, the quality left arm spinner Macchiocchi was nullified straight away. A huge six, deposited out of the ground, saw him removed from the attack after three overs cost him 22 runs. Skipper Morgan, whilst happy to play second fiddle to Bennett, played some fine strokes in his own right, and the second wicket added 72 trouble free and entertaining runs in quick time.

At 92 for one, it looked as though a nine wicket win was on the cards, but Morgan mistimed a drive to second spinner Webb, and was caught at point for 29. It would then not have been Marple if they had not given their supporters some anxious moments. Paul Wood and Mark Makin, both yet to fire this season, fell for six apiece, and there were suddenly some nervous lower order batters on the Marple balcony. However, another huge six from Bennett, this time a hook off the returning Latter, eased the tension. Latter did produce probably the ball of the day though, when he castled Bennett with an absolute trimmer at 127 for 5. 

There were no further alarms for Marple as Fitzgerald, 4 not out, and Ramsey 8 not out saw Marple home with 20 overs remaining. The impressive Latter finished with with 3 for 31 for Bramhall.

This was certainly a very welcome and much needed first victory in this rain affected season for Marple, and should boost their confidence. Next Saturday, they visit Macclesfield, another side who have also had a difficult beginning so far, 12.00 noon start.

 

Marple seconds were defeated by nine wickets by a very strong Toft second eleven at Toft’s picturesque and superb venue. Missing the two in form batsmen Barrow and Schofield, Marple battled hard to reach 152 all out in the 49^th over. A number of batsmen got starts, but were unable to go on to the big individual score. Sam Stretton, 32, Lewis Braddock, 23, Connor Bergin, 22, were Marple’s top scorers, as the Toft bowlers shared the wickets evenly.

After the tea interval, home openers Scott Craig, 83, and Dave Blackburn, 50 not out, shared a century plus stand, only being separated when James Hirst, the seventh bowler to be used, bowled Craig. The Marple bowlers did not bowl badly by any means, but as is often the case at this ground, home knowledge counts for a lot. On the Sky TV commentary last season, former Ireland international Niall O’Brien described the Toft pitch as the proverbial “road” when discussing the merits of Toft and Lancashire batsman Rob Jones. O’Brien had batted on the surface himself when playing for Nantwich.

A terrific game of third team cricket saw Marple narrowly defeat Bredbury by just three runs at Bowden Lane on Sunday. Marple posted what looked to be a match winning 184 for 6 in their 40 overs, with run machine Will Darby 50 and Ed Saxelby 33 the top scorers. Bredbury chased all the way down the batting card, being all out for a valiant 181. Chris Lloyd 3 for 31, Ed Saxelby 2 for 29 and Tom Chalmers 2 for 39 did a fine job for the home side.