Fitz downs Bolly after Hall century
THE sixth league game of the season saw Marple bring about their fourth, and most comfortable win of the season.
Andrew Hall won his first toss of the season, and elected to bat first.
He then proceeded to take the Bollington attack apart to the tune of 107 glorious runs.
Alex Pannell did not receive much of the strike in an opening stand of 36, as Hall punished anything remotely too full, too short or fractionally wide.
It was not as though the visitors’ attack of Cheema and Ward bowled that badly.
They came up against a player of high quality in prime form.
After Pannell departed, Max Fitzgerald, promoted to three, shared a second wicket stand of 52 with Hall.
He played a fine short innings, but after stroking four well times boundaries, he guided a delivery from first change Lomas straight to first slip for 23.
Mark Makin was not under any time pressure, and he determinedly got himself in, supporting Hall.
This third wicket stand produced the game’s best batting, as Hall brought up his magnificent century, containing eighteen fours.
Makin went on to a second fluent half century of the season with 52. The pair added 111, and Marple seemed set on a monster score.
However, Cheema returned with determination and good accuracy, and Marple had a middle order collapse to 210 for 7.
The confidence in the side is such currently though, that this was not significant.
Once again Jack Grundy (15) and Mike Schofield (17 not out) added valuable lower order runs to take the home side to a well above par total of 243 for 8.
Lewis Braddock (5 not out) gave Schofield good support, and guided his first delivery faced in first eleven Saturday cricket through the vacant slip area for four.
Cheema was rewarded with 4 for 69, a fine comeback after some early stick, and Lomas never gave up, ending with 3 for 52 from eleven overs.
The pitch was a good one, but chasing down such a total was always going to be tricky, requiring two or three players to bat very well.
Bolly got to 46 for 2, with Rasheed, newly acquired from league cricket in Yorkshire, holding firm.
However, only skipper Jack Ward was able to offer any other resistance with 21.
After Ed Saxelby had once more made the initial breakthrough, the Marple spinners got to work.
Joe Cash delivered a stiff full toss first ball, but then took two wickets in two balls in his second over. Pannell continued to impress with his slow left arm spin, his accuracy improving each game.
He now looks to be in an excellent rhythm, the early season nerves having dissipated.
After Ward fell at 79 for 4, leg spinner Max Fitzgerald
made short work of the lower order.
His type of bowler usually mixes up taking wickets and going for a few runs.
Here though, the Bollington batters had no answer to him.
The well established Rasheed was cleaned up for a battling 41, and the tail was sent packing in quick time.
His figures of 5 for 11 were a personal best in Saturday cricket. Joe Cash was his usual self with 2 for 23, and Pannell ended with 2 for 29 from twelve accurate overs.
Marple remain unbeaten this season, and stay in second spot in division one, two points behind leaders Cheadle.
Next Saturday, 4th June, they travel to Sale, 12.00 noon start.
Andy Massey was the star of the show as Marple seconds overcame a sticky start to beat Heaton Mersey seconds by six wickets.
Steady batting from the Mersey line up saw seven players reach double figures in a total of 160 for 9 in the fifty overs.
The home side never “got away” though, as Massey took 4 for 35 from fifteen overs. Spinning partner, skipper James Hirst had 2 for 26, and Seamers, Tom Chalmers and Mudassar Panchbhaya each chipped in with a wicket apiece. After a solid start of 38 from Crisall and Wild, Marple fell away to 48 for 4. However, Andy Massey then joined his brother Jamie (33) in a fraternal fifth wicket stand of 47, Jamie playing the dominant role.
Andy then came into his own with fine support from Tom Reeve (12). They took Marple almost to victory at 155 for 9.
Tom Chalmers kept man of the match Andy Massey company as James Hirst’s men brought up a fourth successive victory, to take them to joint top in the second eleven division one. Andy Massey’s excellent season continued with 68 not out.
A terrific game of T20 cricket saw Marple beat near neighbours Hawk Green by six wickets last Thursday evening at Bowden Lane.
Green got away to a flying start through Needham (38) and Downey (33). A total close to 200 looked on the cards.
However, Marple spinners, Pannell , with 2 for 20, and Fitzgerald 4 for 20, made short work of the middle order before skipper Hampson with 33 and Peter Richards (18 not out) made useful late runs to raise the total to a very competitive 154 for 7.
This was not a game for the seamers, as the Green’s quicker bowlers proved expensive, as had those of Marple.
Connor Ramsay times the ball beautifully, and he played a terrific innings of 81 not out for Marple, including 9 fours and two sixes.
After a quick start for Marple, it was once again spin, in the shape of slow left armer Eliot Young, that took the Green to a position of strength.
However, at 83 for 4, a determined Andrew Hall joined Ramsay, and they took Marple to a hard earned victory in front of some vocal visiting supporters, with just three deliveries remaining.
Hall made 29 not out, playing second fiddle to Ramsay, and twice cleared the ropes himself.
Eliot Young was the pick for Hawk Green with 2 for 16, who will rue a couple of spilled chances during the Ramsay and Hall stand of 74 unbroken runs.
In this mini T20 league, both of these teams still have to play premier league club Hyde.
In Marple third eleven’s home fixture with Alderley Edge last Sunday, runs were at a premium. Marple/Compstall struggled to 128 all out in forty overs. Class is permanent though, and David Bailey, who can now be classed as a veteran, made a stylish 45 on his first appearance of the season.
Only Will Darby and Jonny Monk were able to give much support with scores in the teens.
When Edge replied, runs were also tough to come by, but the wickets would not come either. Andy Kennedy blossomed as the winning total came into view.
He hit a glorious 85 not out, as a six wicket victory was brought up. Marple’s seamers bowled tightly, but Kennedy, and his broad bat were not to be denied.