Marple put squeeze on Macclesfield
MARPLE’S terrific start to the season continued with this hard earned win over fellow early season high fliers Macclesfield at Bowden Lane last Saturday.
Skipper Andrew Hall is never unhappy at being sent in to bat first, especially at home, but his philosophy, instilled into his team since taking over the captaincy, of batting the full fifty overs come what may, was left in tatters in this game. A final score of just 135 all out, and almost sixteen unused overs was not what the doctor ordered. Well though Craig Melrose with 4 for 40 bowled for the opposition, this was a decidedly underwhelming performance. On the plus side, Hall himself with 36 is gradually getting into his stride, and Max Fitzgerald continued his fine start to the season. He top scored with 46 good runs, and added 20 crucial runs for the tenth wicket with first team league debutant Tom Chalmers.
The past few seasons since the relaying of the square has shown that chasing scores can be tricky at Marple. After the interval, all the Marple bowlers put the squeeze on the Macclesfield line up. Only skipper James Cross with a valiant and selfless 57, and wicket keeper Mattsson with 25 provided much of a threat. Coming together at 52 for 5 they added 53 runs to put their team within reach of victory. However, one wicket brought two, and the lower order were not able to stay long. For the third week running 111, the famous “Nelson” brought Marple a wicket.
The home attack were all excellent once more. Joe Cash with a miserly 3 for 19 from 15 overs was once again the pick, and his main spinning partner Alex Pannell impressed with 2 for 42. Leg spinner Fitzgerald was also effective, picking up a crucial late wicket and with a good economy rate. Ed Saxelby continued his happy knack of picking up early wickets, and Jack Grundy determinedly was right on the mark when he returned, cleaning up the gutsy Cross to end with 2 for 10 from six overs. Chalmers only bowled two overs, but he took a valuable wicket second ball, and he will surely take many more for Marple in the future.
Marple will want to keep there early season form up next week, with a visit to west Cheshire side Alvanley’s attractive ground. 12.00 start.
Marple seconds comfortably despatched Macclesfield seconds at Victoria Road. For Macc it was again captain Tom Isherwood with 36 and keeper Sainter with 46 who kept the side afloat at 128 all out. Mudassar Panchbhaya, with 3 for 22, wrecked the top order, and James Hirst’s attack now looks a potent one. Tom Reeve was miserly with 1 for 33, George Clarke had 2 for 17, and Andy Massey, in top form this season, 3 for 32.
Marple made light work of the run chase. James Crisall fell at 43, but Andy Wild hit a superb 80 not out. His partner, the ever reliable Matt Barrow with 28 not out, helped bring up an easy and well deserved nine wicket win.
Marple thirds edged the draw points in what was ultimately a dull game of cricket at near rivals Romiley on Sunday. Marple notched up a fine total of 197 for 7 in the 45 overs, Will Darby 37, Lewis Braddock a hard hit 69, and the impressive Dan Cox 42. Romiley never remotely threatened this total, ending on a disappointing 103 for 6. Alex Nuttall was Marple’s most impressive bowler with 3 for 17. Skipper Marsland tried eight different bowlers, but the Romiley batters seemed more keen on sending their spectators to sleep than attempting any heroics.