Marple’s fine form goes on
MARPLE 203 for 8 (50 overs) 14 points had a winning draw against Bollington 193 for 7 (50 overs) 7 points
MARPLE followed up their fine performance at high flying Urmston with another determined effort, this time at home to table toppers Bollington.
After skipper Andrew Hall had elected to bat on winning the toss, the Marple top order struggled against a tight and probing attack. Jerome Jones has been one of the leading bowlers in the league this season, and his first over had Marple reeling. Crisall was lbw first ball, and then the centurion at Urmston, Mark Bennett, was also bowled for a duck. At 9 for 2 Mark Makin joined Hall, and they repaired some of the early damage with a fluent stand of 44. Makin always backs himself, especially against to the so-called “better bowlers,” and here he played the dominant role.
The introduction of the accurate slow left arm spinner, Stuart Plant, changed the game in favour of Bolly though. Makin fell lbw for 26 and after that, it was a grim struggle. When Hall went at 91 for 6, it looked as though the game was up. However, Ed
Saxelby at number 7 has been in superb form for the second eleven. He looked secure and confident from the start. Today, he found a reliable and very determined partner in Jack Grundy. The latter’s batting has improved immeasurably in the last year or so, but without a significant score to show for it. What followed must be one of the most uplifting Marple first 11 partnerships in recent seasons. From the depths of 100 for 7, the duo added 80 priceless runs for the eighth wicket. Initially it was Saxelby who played the dominant role, striking seven boundaries. He would have been disappointed not to complete a half century, but his 48 was an innings of courage.
Grundy has always had a good eye, but is now working out how to apply his talent. He has shown fine judgement in defence in games earlier this season, but today his hard work was well rewarded. After Saxelby was dismissed at 180 for 8, he stepped on the gas. The huge six he struck from the final ball of the innings was to prove significant. It brought up his maiden 1st team half century (53*), and also by taking the total beyond 200, it put that little bit more pressure on the visiting side.
The Bollington attack wilted somewhat in the face of this excellent lower order partnership. Jones was expensive, his four wickets costing 69, and the canny Plant was prevented from wreaking too much damage. He ended with 3 for 46 from 15 overs.
Marple were certainly buoyant after the tea interval. In Richard Hough and Cheshire opener Callum Rowe, Bolly have one of the best opening pairs in the league. However, Rowe’s poor run at Bowden Lane continued, as a confident and accurate Saxelby had him caught behind by keeper Wild for a duck. Hough was not fluent either, and he was bowled by Grundy after battling over 40 deliveries for his 16. Bollington are not top of the league for nothing though. George Lomas made 35, as Marple spinners Joe Cash and Mark Makin kept up the pressure, but at 89 for 5, Marple sensed victory. Jack Ward and Henshall edged their way towards the imposing target but Andrew Hall, as captain, has seen most situations in his illustrious career, and he was not going to panic. And, although the wickets did not come, the run rate kept on rising. Joe Cash continued his fine season with 2 for 51, and Ed Saxelby bowled with control and movement to return 2 for 24 from 10 overs. Although 193 for 7 looks close, Marple always had the batters in relative control.
Marple seconds faced tough opponents at Didsbury last Saturday and struggled to 102 all out in 40 overs
Marple did not bowl badly, but Didsbury cruised to a nine wicket victory in the 28th over.