Marple just miss out in narrow loss

FOR a change, fine weather greeted the players as Marple hoped to build on the previous week’s fine win at Oxton.

On a good pitch against Grappenhall, Marple batted first. However, three fairly soft early wickets put the home side on the backfoot at 43 for 3.

Mark Bennett, (2) mistimed a pull shot from accurate left arm seamer Guest and was caught by McCoy at mid on.

Next, Jake Warner (1) called for a run and was sent back by Mark Makin and run out by yards. Makin himself also mistimed and was well caught at extra cover off the lively Burns, having stroked 29 seemingly effortless runs.

Once again, skipper Paul Wood was in early in a mini crisis, and he was joined by Jim Morgan at number five. This fourth wicket pairing then produced probably Marple’s best partnership of the season so far.

The stand gradually became dominant, as both players kept pace with each other, running well between the wickets and putting the bad balls away to the boundary.

The pair added 133 runs were added and put Marple into a healthy position.

Both were dismissed by Albert Pennington towards the end of the innings, Morgan for 76 and Wood 68.

Pennington was the best of the three Grappenhall spinners on the day, even out-bowling the vaunted Ryan Ninan who has appeared in the IPL in recent times.

A final total of 194 for 5 was probably just above par on a pitch that rewarded both good batting and bowling of all types.

When the visitors’ reply began it was skipper and left hander Roylance who looked in good touch, with a number of well-timed boundaries. However, both Menzies and Wylie had to be watched with care, and the cricket was tense.

Menzies had been bowling in the Old Trafford nets during the week at both the England and Pakistan test players, and looked to be in good rhythm. Both openers were caught behind in the same over, and then in his next over Radage, late in defence was lbw for a duck. The visitors were 36 for 3, and then Wylie got in on the act with the wicket of Ninan, also lbw for 5.

It was a little surprising that Menzies was rested after his spell of 3 for 12 from just six overs, but when Greasley settled quickly and had Bodha caught at short leg by Tim Radford, there did not seem to be a problem.

Surely there was no way back from 54 for 5? The Pennington brothers, Albert and Arthur, had other ideas though. They defended with skill, and Albert began to play some fine strokes all round the wicket. Even though the brothers added 53 runs, Arthur (19) falling at 107 for 6, Marple were still hot favourites. Burns bided his time whilst Albert went to fine halfcentury, 57, before falling LBW once more to Wylie who returned for a second spell.

From 135 for 7, Burns took charge, hitting Greasley for two huge sixes, and also finding the boundary off Wylie and then Menzies when he returned.

With good support from keeper Osborne, the runs flowed at an alarming rate from Marple’s point of view. Even when Burns was yorked by Menzies for a brutal 55, the momentum was with Grappenhall.

Sure enough, Osborne and Matthews both hit out bravely to secure a tight two wicket win with just one over remaining. Menzies with 4 for 52 was Marple’s most successful bowler.

On Saturday Marple visit Cheadle Hulme with a 1pm start.

Marple seconds made the long trip to Neston on the Wirral, but were defeated by seven wickets.