Denied exciting end by downpour
Hale Barns 179 for 9 (50 overs) 7 points, Marple 67 for 3 (22.2 overs) 7 points, Match Abandoned
HEAVY rain, the like of which has not been seen at Bowden Lane for many a Saturday, spoiled a possible exciting finish to a game that had swung one way then the other.
During the benign conditions in the early stages of their innings, the visiting Hale Barns openers Jonathan Aikins (69) and Joe Cooper (54) made light of the Marple attack, adding 138 for the first wicket.
Although both players played some fine strokes all round the wicket, they were aided by 16 extras conceded in the first four overs, and also two dropped catches which proved costly. Marple’s improvement in the field after the drinks break was significant, as Barns lost nine wickets for just 41 runs.
It is pure speculation, but had Marple taken the early chances, the fragility of the Hale Barns line up after the two excellent openers, may have given them enough time to win the game, despite the rain.
Will Fraser-Smith, debutant Rob Kingham and Joe Cash picked up three wickets apiece as the innings fell away in dramatic fashion after the drinks break.
Kingham looks to be a good acquisition, and his partnership with FraserSmith appears as though it could bear significant fruit this season. FraserSmith was lively in pace, and also accurate. His caught and bowled of Sam
Smith was absolutely top class.
Kingham destroyed the tail with some full and straight deliveries, and when Joe Cash switched to the bottom end, he looked more like his old self, finishing with 3 for 36 from 15 good overs.
Fraser-Smith had 3 for 44, and Kingham 3 for 38.
When Marple replied, two careless strokes from Connor Ramsay and Will Darby, both recording ducks against the drift of Jimmy Guest, saw Marple in early trouble at 12 for 2. However, Andrew Hall was rock solid in defence, and also put away anything loose with his customary ease. Max Fitzgerald, with two fours from his first two balls faced, added 42 runs with Hall, but was possibly unlucky to be adjudged lbw to Joe Cooper for a promising 22 at 54 for 3.
Mark Makin (8 not out) then joined Hall, and appeared to be settling in nicely just as the heavens opened and flooded the ground.
Good early season news for Marple is the batting of skipper Hall, who was undefeated on 31. Like a fine wine is the Marple captain.
Next week, Marple make the short trip to Poynton’s ground. The club merged with Disley a few years ago, and now play under the name of North East Cheshire.
Marple will hope that new player coach Grant Hodnett returns to the side after an untimely bout of Covid. Wickets pitched, 12.00 noon.
Marple seconds, once more, had to endure tricky batting conditions, this time at Timperley.
However, this time they were on the receiving end, being unable to chase down a modest 115.
The visiting bowlers all did a fine job. Ed Saxelby bowled both openers, and George Clarke continued his good start to the season with 2 for 30.
Skipper Hirst was again on song with 4 for 31, and he welcomed back off spinning partner Andy Massey, who was on the spot with 2 for 14 from seven overs. The key innings for Timperley was played by Rob Matthews. Coming in at a precarious 22 for 3, he chanced his arm with a rapid 40. The tail also made valuable contributions, the last two wickets adding 23 crucial runs.
It was a sorry tale for Marple’s strong, on paper, line up.
However, cricket is played on grass, albeit treacherous early season turf, and only Ed Saxelby, with 33 gutsy runs, threatened to see Marple home. 94 all out, and defeat by 21 runs, was disappointing.
Shahnawaz Khan, with five wickets, and Muhammed Usman three, did the damage for Timpers.
Marple/Compstall third eleven’s round robin T20 game with Romiley, due to be played on Sunday, was abandoned without a ball being bowled, each side picking up one point each.
The weather also brought an abrupt end to Marple/Compstall 2A eleven’s first home game, played at Compstall on Saturday.
The visitors, Appelton 3rds, totalled 125 all out. Mark Sands, with 34 top scored, and there was a good 28 not out, lower down the order, from Ravi Elaprolu.
Marple skipper Mudassar Panchbhaya employed eight bowlers, and they achieved the rare feat of each taking at least one wicket!
When the biblical rain arrived, Marple were set on a comfortable victory, at 60 for none, Tom Lloyd 23 not out, and Mudassar 30 not out.