Marple up into
MARPLE picked up 25 points as they enjoyed an away win at Upton on Saturday where they triumphed by seven wickets.
At the tea break it was difficult to know who was the happier of the two sides.
Wirral club Upton’s innings had progressed nicely, but maybe they were twenty runs short of a par score on what was an excellent home pitch.
Marple, on the other hand, had kept the opposition to a manageable total, but had not really dominated proceedings.
With temperatures about 15 degrees cooler than the previous week, Marple captain Paul Wood opted to insert the opposition at Bowden Lane last Saturday.
His decision was rewarded when Ed Saxelby picked up both openers, Matt Owen, brilliantly caught one handed by keeper Morgan, and the dangerous Stowell-Smith lbw for a promising 25.
Marple were though unable to fully capitalise on this good start, as the Upton middle order of McArthur, Dan Owen and the experienced Neil Cross played sensibly.
It was Cross, (58) who was the most dominant of the three after he came in at 92 for 3, McArthur being well held by Morahan off Greasley for 33. Cross and Owen (50) added 74 for the fourth wicket without fully getting away.
Cross did hit three huge sixes, but did not inspire the other batsmen to aggression.
Owen’s half century occupied 108 deliveries, despite some pleasing drives.
A final total of 196 for 5 represented neither feast nor famine.
Greasley was in miserly mood, picking up 1 for 21 in his 15 overs. Morahan also picked up the late wickets of Owen and Cross, well caught by Crisall off a skier.
In Marple’s reply, Crisall and Makin were in watchful mood, but neither player appeared unduly troubled by the useful opening attack of Ingram and Sundue.
However, things changed dramatically after Crisall (14) edged a good one from Ingram to keeper Marsland at 32 for 1.
Makin, who was again looking in ominous form was adjudged lbw to first change Maguire for 28 at 45 for 2.
Andrew Hall, also fell lbw, once more to a slow left arm bowler, Williams, for just 3 and Marple were in a hole at 45 for 3.
Maybe the visitors’ total of 196 was a good one after all? Williams settled into an accurate spell against Wood and Morgan.
Maguire, although bowling some excellent deliveries, did help relieve the pressure on the batsmen with the occasional loose one.
Paul Wood has such a presence at the crease this season, born of confidence in his technique against all types of bowlers, and the fact that he has a game plan and cool head to put it into operation.
Of the two, it was Morgan who fretted at times, but as he increasingly found the middle of the bat, he began to play some glorious strokes all round the wicket.
This period produced by far the best cricket of the afternoon.
The bowling was good, but Marple’s fourth wicket pair was more than up to the task.
Upton’s decision to introduce Cross into the attack though did not pay dividends and his seven overs cost 39 runs and three lost balls as both players deposited him out of the ground!
After the 100 partnership was raised, the batsmen looking rock solid by now, Upton heads began to drop a little although they never threw in the towel.
A good crowd cheered some searing boundaries from both players as the winning line came into sight. Fittingly, on his birthday, it was captain Wood who cut the winning 4 with almost three overs remaining. His stand with Morgan was worth 152 runs undefeated.