Marple suffer as
Marple 111 all out (32.5 overs) 4 points lost to Warrington 172 for 8 (50 overs) 25 points by 61 runs
ASUPERB 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 forefinger 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 tough after Ed Saxelby with 3 for 20 and Andy Massey 4 for 36 had got Marple into a decent position at tea.
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.