Perfect partnership put Marple in pole
A REMARKABLE partnership of the highest quality between Mark Bennett and Paul Wood of 193 runs unbroken took Marple to victory at Urmston last Saturday.
Urmston’s suburban ground looked absolutely immaculate in the late August sunshine.
The outfield was like a green carpet and it is hard to think of any ground looking in better condition.
It is no wonder that Lancashire use this superb facility for some second team games.
The pitch itself had a tinge of green, but was very firm, and bowlers of all types had to work hard for any success.
Home skipper Callum Turner, the Lancashire second team batsman, elected to bat first on winning toss.
He probably hoped that he would be able to bat Marple out of the game in the favourable conditions.
Marple’s opening attack of Morahan and Saxelby did not bowl badly, but the margin for error was very small.
Turner and more particularly Ness got the home side away to a fast start. However, after posting 50 fairly trouble free runs, Ness was deceived in the air by first change bowler Greasley and bowled for 33.
Marple’s senior off spinner came back well from a horror first over which saw a wide and a huge six hoisted by Ness. Greasley also accounted for Turner (26), lbw, 15 runs later.
The third wicket pairing of Thomas and Jackson gradually settled and added a further 63 runs, but Marple had dragged back the scoring rate. Both players will have been disappointed to get out at the same score of 128, Thomas brilliantly caught and bowled by part time spinner Makin, for 33 and Jackson for 25.
Fortunately for Urmston though, Furkan Hassan a 19 year old Sheffield University student, was in control from the start of his innings.
He made an excellent 50 not out, timing the ball well and also clearing the ropes on a couple of occasions.
A final score of 209 for 5 was possibly a few under par, but would certainly require Marple to bat well if victory was to be achieved.
Andy Greasley was Marple’s most successful bowler with 3 for 47, and Pat Morahan did an excellent job, being unlucky not to take a wicket.
He beat the outside edge regularly and had a sharp slip chance put down. Joel Greasley also made a promising first team debut, and part time spinners Makin and Bennett picked up a late wicket apiece.
Urmston have some very good young cricketers in their ranks, and the opening attack of Espley and Dominic Ashling had to be watched.
After Mark Makin clipped a couple of boundaries away in the opening over, disaster struck for Marple as Ashling took the wickets of Andrew Hall (1) and James Crisall (0) with the his first two deliveries! Mark Bennett averted the hat trick, but Makin was smartly held by Ness at mid off of Espley soon afterwards when he mistimed a drive.
At 17 for for 3 the winning post suddenly seemed on the distant horizon. Now Marple’s hero of 2017 captain Paul Wood came out to join Bennett. Wood has been struggling with a calf injury in recent weeks, but he put this out of his mind as he determinedly got himself established. Bennett has also been in top form this season, and little by little these two high class batsmen got Marple back into the contest. At first they were content to rotate the strike and put the occasional loose delivery away, not taking any undue risks. However, Urmston spinners Grindley and Callum Turner found control increasingly difficult as the batsmen began to dominate. The fifty and hundred partnerships were passed, and although the home attack did not wilt, there was an air of inevitability about Marple’s progress.
The ball hardly ever passed the bat and both players combined beautiful timing with some power hitting. Spectators were given a real treat as the ball sped across the lush green turf. Bennett had a touch of the nervous nineties, being dropped on 99, but stroked the winning run, and finished 100 not out.
Paul Wood ended 93 not out, his tenth half century of the season, and the partnership of 193*was one of highest and best in the history of Marple Cricket Club. The wicket was good and the outfield fast, but this was a run chase from the very top drawer.
This win, and with results elsewhere going Marple’s way, means that they are now in control of their own destiny this season whilst in fourth position in the league. Next week they entertain second placed Widnes at Bowden Lane with a 12.30pm start.
Marple seconds were defeated by six wickets at home to Chester Boughton Hall. On an excellent pitch 108 all out was nowhere near enough. David Brook and the returning Gary Cash and Ryan Lindsay all reached the twenties but could not go on. Despite a determined effort in the field, Chester were comfortable winners.
A weakened Marple third team put up a spirited display against Cheadle at Bowden Lane on Sunday. Jonny Arrowsmith, (87) and Lewis Braddock (46) got Marple away to a terrific start, and the rest of the order chipped in to take Marple to 199 for 6 at tea.
Cheadle were patient in reply, and Marple’s young attack, especially Sam Stretton and Peter Withers bowled well. However, some late hitting brought up a five wicket win for the visitors with two overs remaining.