Marple beaten by bogey team
HYDE’S hoodoo over Marple continued on a cold Saturday afternoon as the the home side won by seven wickets.
With a late start and just six overs lost to the elements, Hyde skipper Danny Berry probably could barely contain a chortle as he inserted Marple on an old fashioned green seamer.
Even in club cricket, these tracks are not as commonplace as they once were, due to the covering available to all Premier League clubs.
Whilst Hyde’s veteran opening bowler, Jason Whittaker, might have wished for slightly warmer conditions, he must have been licking his lips in as he marked out his run.
Marple were soon 5 for 3. Openers Hall and Makin, undefeated in the rained off game the previous week, fell for ducks to the wily Whittaker, and Jim Morgan, whilst seemingly in little trouble, drove at the bustling Danny Williams, only to be smartly taken low down by Danny Woods at gully.
The 2015 Marple side have character. In the face of potential humiliation, Eliot Young and skipper Mark Bennett proceeded to get the visitors into the game. Bennett was untroubled by the bowling. He was immaculate in defence and timed the ball superbly. Young showed real determination and skill. He was dropped twice, once from a skier by Williams, and then ironically by Whittaker at slip.
The fourth wicket pair added 56 runs for Marple. Young memorably cover drove Williams for four, and Bennett effortlessly stroked Whittaker over the sight screen for six, following this with another glorious cover drive.
Young showed maturity beyond his years as he battled against Whittaker and new Cheshire captain Danny Woods, who replaced Williams in the 16th over.
Eventually, in trying to pull Whittaker, he skied the ball for Woods to take a second gully catch. Paul Wood was soon lbw to Whittaker, but both Harbinson and Pearson gave sound support to Bennett, only to fall when being over ambitious.
Marple’s new signing, Chris Wood, has not played Premier League cricket before, but he has been a quality performer for years.
Number nine in the order is probably as low as he has batted, but he brought all his experience and skill to bear, watchful in defence and taking the chance to score when he could.
Sadly for Marple, Bennett (49) made his only mistake when chipping Woods to deep midwicket. The Marple skipper had batted flawlessly for over two hours in challenging conditions, but his dismissal at 93 for 8 meant Wood had to try and take control.
With determined sup- port from Tim Radford, 26 runs were added. Wood (28) superbly drove Woods over long off for six, but two crazy run outs brought the innings to a close.
Hyde are a magnificent fielding side, and Fitzsimmons ran Radford out with a direct hit, and then Wood fell as he tried to call Greasley for a second, possibly forgetting that Hyde’s boundaries are short.
The total of 129 all out was well below par on a small ground, but a score in double figures had looked likely earlier. For Hyde, Whittaker had 5 for 54 from almost 25 overs, with a solitary full toss the only loose delivery. He was supported by Woods with 2 for 48 from 17 overs.
After the tea interval, Hyde’s new Lancashire Academy opener Harry Dearden looked in good touch. He hooked Sam Harbinson for four, and also top edged him over the slips in the first over.
Hyde were never under any pressure in the run chase. Wood bowled four maidens in his first five overs, but when he switched ends, could not find the same control. His 7 overs cost 24, but both Hyde openers had to watch him with care.
Marple spinners, Greasley and Young then captured three wickets. Sawas (30) struck Young’s first ball for six, but was then beautifully caught by keeper Makin, who then stumped Dearden in Greasley’s next over, the score 82 for 2. Duffy survived a confident appeal for caught behind soon after wards, but fell, caught by Young off Greasley for 17. Victory came up for Hyde by the margin of seven wickets with Tipper and Berry suffering no further alarms. Greasley had 2 for 34, and Young bowled much better than his 1 for 42 might suggest.
Next Saturday Marple entertain Nantwich with a 12.30pm start.
It was an inspiring and enjoyable Sunday at Bowden Lane as a Marple eleven entertained the England and Wales Cricket Board Physical Disability Team. Batting first, Marple totalled 234 for 3 from the 40 overs, Mark Makin an imperious 124 not out. He was well supported by Sam Harbinson 40 and Jim Morgan 36.
The ECB team were bowled out for 124. A good crowd was treated to some quality play from players of both sides.
Former Marple seam bowler Rick Booth, a supporter of the Bone Cancer charity showed he not lost his touch, taking a wicket with his first delivery! Raffles were held in aid of Bone Cancer and also the Marple Cricket Club.