Marple pleased to see back of June
THE month of June has seen batting surfaces of top class quality, at Bowden Lane, and also away from home.
However, whilst Marple have scored well in excess of 900 runs in the four matches, they have been defeated in each game.
Batters have thrived on the firm, dry and true pitches and rapid outfields, and bowlers of all types, with few exceptions, have gone around the park.
Timperley’s quality and experienced opening bowler Chris Page commented at the tea interval, that he felt he had not bowled badly, yet still ended with 0 for 40 from just six overs.
After his hundred for the second team in the previous game, James Crisall opened up with Andrew Hall for his first top level game of the season.
They added 80 trouble free runs in just thirteen overs, as the ball rattled to boundary fence on numerous occasions. Crisall unleashed some crunching drives as of old.
His share was 43, before he was adjudged lbw to Timperley’s powerfully built first change seamer Fowler.
Mark Bennett (19) added a further 34 with Hall, and then Pannell helped his captain up to 146 for 2 at the drinks break.
The old maxim of drinks bringing wickets came true, as Hall played over a ball from leg spinner Chidambaran and was bowled for a typically classy 58.
Pannell (22) fell in identical fashion at 155, and Marple were in danger of squandering the fine start.
However, Mark Makin was joined by the increasingly confident Jacob Noakes, and they played with determination and skill to add 109 unbroken runs for the fifth wicket.
There were no further wickets for the visitors, but seamers Harms and Fowler returned bowling full and straight to restrict scoring opportunities.
This damage limitation exercise worked reasonably well, in that whilst Marple’s final tally was an excellent 264 for 4, they were able to add just 40 runs from the last eight overs.
Makin made a fine 51 not out, and Noakes an excellent 61 not out, his maiden first eleven half century.
Fowler battled away manfully for his 2 for 59, as did Chidambaran with 2 for 54.
Former skipper Nathan Brown toiled without success through 15 overs and 0 for 68.
When Timperley replied, it was a case of déjà vu for Marple.
The ball was despatched to the fence as the elegant left hander Sorathia and fellow opener Matthews dealt in boundaries.
Spin was introduced early in the form of Pannell and Cash, which did drag back the scoring rate somewhat. However, skipper Hall had to juggle his bowlers carefully in the absence of Saxelby and Fitzgerald.
Part time off spinner Mark Bennett was introduced, and he had Matthews lbw for 31 at 96.
The talented Sorathia (71) fell to a good catch by Chalmers off Joe Cash and skipper Kulkarni (19) was also caught by Mark Makin to give Bennett a second wicket for at 138 for 3.
Harms joined fellow left hander the dangerous Fletcher, acquired this season from Warrington, and they appeared in little trouble as they added 43 in quick time.
Harms (25) was visibly upset with himself when he found the safe hands of Makin at 181 for 4, but Brown was quickly into his stride and added 37 more with Fletcher.
Marple’s fourth spinner of the day Makin had Brown (18) well held by Pannell at point. Could the solid Fletcher be removed?
It mattered not, as the burly Fowler attacked the bowling with relish.
He dominated the sixth wicket stand of 43 with a hard hit 34.
Chalmers picked up a late wicket, but the responsible Fletcher was undefeated on 54 as the winning post was reached.
This was another afternoon of toil in the field for Marple, and they will be very glad to say goodbye to the month of June.
There was certainly entertainment for a good sized crowd though, with a total of 73 fours and four sixes struck in the game.
The month’s injury jinx struck once more as well, with Noakes picking up a hamstring strain that could sideline him for a while.
It could be a ”bare bones” side that makes the trip to leaders Cheadle at Kingsway next Saturday, 12.00 start.
“Out of adversity comes opportunity.” So said Benjamin Franklin, founding father of the United States.
Jamie Massey, with a fantastic 111, added 183 with the “rock” Matt Barrow, 75, as Marple’s 2nd XI easily chased down what looked a formidable 219 for 7 on another batting “road” at Widnes.
For Widnes, Shashwat Rusia (50) and Ben Hewitt (71 not out) hit half centuries. Marple’s experienced operators skipper Hirst with an excellent 3 for 35, and George Clarke 3 for 53 did a fine job in batter friendly conditions.
After tea, despite Andy Wild falling early, Widnes had no answers to Massey and Barrow as a seven wicket win was brought up with fully ten overs remaining.
Marple thirds were once more involved in a good and tight game against Sale thirds at Bowden Lane last Sunday.
Against a decent visiting attack, Marple posted a fair total of 164 all out with the experienced Will Darby, 35, and Rob Bradley, 30, leading the way. Matt Leach with a solid 50 kept Sale at bay, despite the lower order struggling.
When Sale replied, opener Dattu Vadakutte, with 49, was a thorn in the Marple side. Although Sam Ittig, with 2 for 52, and James Reeves an excellent 4 for 52, dragged Marple back into it, Rob Shaw, 37, and Will Radcliffe, 32, saw Sale to a hard earned victory.