Marple skipper eager for Toft start

MARPLE’S first eleven are back in the Cheshire County League Premier Division after two seasons in the first division, and skipper Paul Wood is anticipating 2018 with excitement.

“I can’t wait for the action to get underway with a home game against the vibrant Toft side on Saturday 21st April at 12.30pm,” he said.

Whilst realising that the Premier League is a big step up from the first division, Wood knows that the standard of cricket the side produced at times in 2017 means they are back where they belong.

The winning habit, a key factor in sport, combined with a terrific team spirit fostered by the captain himself, propelled the side to promotion in what was a competitive first division.

Marple have a real core of senior players who will want to show that they still have what it takes to perform at the top level.

In 2017, six batsmen, led by Wood – who hit a remarkable ten half centuries – produced match winning performances, showing terrific skill and character to turn around some unpromising situations.

The bowling took a while to develop into a wicket taking unit, but a combination of pace and spin eventually proved unstoppable in the run in.

In addition to the older hands, Marple have a good number of younger players who showed immense promise in 2017.

“They will get their chances at first team level, and I’m urging them to relish the opportunity and learn from those top level players they will be playing with and also against,” he said.

Marple will also hope that a couple of new signings, and overseas quick bowler Dylan Moroney from the Geelong club in Victoria will quickly fit into Marple’s impressive set up.

At second and third eleven levels, Marple’s teams will once again compete in their respective top divisions.

George Clarke and Greg Marsland continue as captains, and with a good mix of youth and experience combined with playing on the best grounds in the county, excellent opportunities exist for players to improve and make their mark.

There is also anticipation regarding the Marple ground itself. Groundsman Mike Hibbert has been working tirelessly throughout the winter and early spring to get things in shipshape condition.

This will be the first full season on the ground since the extensive renovation of the square and also the installation of new drains.

This has been recognised by Cheshire, who have awarded the club two full county T20 games in June.