Hodnett hits a century in win
Marple 270 for 3 (50 overs) 25 points beat Bollington 182 all out (39.5 overs) 4 points by 88 runs
ON A GLORIOUS late May Saturday at Bollington’s park ground, a memorable innings of 135 not out from Marple’s Grant Hodnett took the visitors to a mighty, out of reach, total of 270 for 3.
The home side got away to a bad start in reply, losing four wickets for 39, and six for 67.
Just when it appeared that a very early finish was on the cards, some lusty lower-order “biffing” from Peter Henshall, 64, and Cameron McKinnon, 32, took Bollington’s score to a respectable 182 all out.
Marple skipper Andrew Hall does not like asking the opposition to take first knock, especially when the weather is set fair.
After calling correctly, he opened up himself with Connor Ramsay, and they played carefully enough against the lively South African, Keegan Fortune, and George Hardman.
However, Hall was absolutely livid with himself when a lazy flick outside the off stump to first change Harri Dickinson saw him caught behind for 23 at 34 for one.
This brought in Hodnett, and he also patiently acclimatised himself. Both Ramsay and Hodnett ran well between the wickets, and put anything loose away to the fence.
As the afternoon wore on, there was an increasing inevitability that Marple were going to get a very big total. The home attack did not bowl especially badly, but the second wicket pair were unstoppable, despite captain Dickinson switching his attack around.
Ramsay, once more, played some powerful drives, and timed the ball beautifully. He went to his half century first, followed soon after by his partner.
The stand passed the 100 mark, and then, in quick time, went past 150. Just as it seemed the dynamic duo would not be parted, Fortune took a smart caughtand-bowled to dismiss Ramsay for aMarple best of 87, with 14 fours, at 212 for 2.
The rest of the innings was mayhem as far as Bollington were concerned. Hodnett treated a good crowd to some real power strokeplay. He struck five huge sixes, and also hit 13 fours to all parts of the ground. For Bollington, there appeared little they could do, but take the punishment.
Sides chasing such a daunting total have to bat well for a long period of time to give themselves any hope. In the face of hostility from FraserSmith and movement and accuracy from the lively Rob Kingham, Bollington’s response was immediately in tatters. Experienced opener Rick Hough was bowled for 1 by Kingham, and Longhorn lbw to Fraser Smith.
Dickinson (18) rallied with three boundaries, but a quick full delivery from Fraser-Smith knocked back his middle stump at 34 for 3.
Kingham had Lomas lbw at 39 for 4, and that appeared to be that. Bollington have to be commended for their spirit, in launching a gutsy counter attack. The victory target was always way out of sight, but at least the home supporters cheered some late big hitting.
The athletic Will Darby brought proceedings to an end with a full-length diving catch to remove number eleven Phipps for a duck off the bowling of Makin. Great to see such commitment from Marple’s increasingly impressive quick bowler from the St Kilda club in Melbourne.
Marple were very glad to convert their dominance into a win, after a couple of agonising finishes. Their ground fielding was in a different class to that of Bollington, and Will Darby’s, smart return saw the dangerous Hardman run out after a mix-up.
Another bonus was the wicket-keeping of Jacob Noakes. With Hall wanting to have the slow left arm spin of Makin as an option, Noakes, despite no victims going his way, did a fine job, having to deal with the pace of Fraser-Smith, and also stand up to Joe Cash and Makin. Fraser-Smith had 3 for 43, Kingham 2 for 33, Jack Grundy 2 for 42, Cash 1 for 45 and Makin 1 for 11.
Marple are in third spot, and entertain west Cheshire side, and current league leaders, Haslington, at Bowden Lane next Saturday, in the first ever fixture between the two clubs, 12 noon start.
There were also runs galore for Marple seconds at Bowden Lane, as they made a welcome return to form with a comprehensive win over Alderley Edge.
With the Marple ground in superb condition, the home batters made hay. James Crisall, 49, Ed Saxelby, 36, and a run a ball 46 not out from Mike Schofield all helped Marple along to a total of 234 for 2.
However, the batting hero was Matt Barrow, whose 88 not out, anchored this formidable score. Alderley, as is often the case with a side having fielded a long time in the heat, never got going against a fresh and determined Marple attack.
After a sluggish start, saw them at 105 for 6, and behind the rate, Tom Briggs, 40, and Alfie Usher, 44, struck some welcome boundaries, but Marple were not be denied, the end coming at 180, with three overs remaining, Ed Saxelby completing the job in successive deliveries to finish 4 for 44, while George Clarke and James Hirst had 3 for 53 and 3 for 36 respectively.
Marple/Compstall’s 2A XI made it three Saturday wins out of three against
Cheadle Hulme thirds at Grove Park. A century from Mudassar Panchbhaya saw M/C almost reach the three hundred mark with 290 for 6. Some brave hitting from Cheadle Hulme saw them fall short on 201 all out, but with 11 overs remaining.
An excellent game of cricket on Sunday saw Stockport Georgians thirds beat M/C thirds by five wickets. M/C 186 all out, Lloyd, 33, Nuttall, 39, Thebe, 39, and Cox 16. Wakefield (4 for 36) led the way for Georgians. The visitors replied solidly, although they had to fight all the way. Jones, 34, and Duckworth 40 not out, were the leading run scorers, with the wickets shared by the M/C bowlers.
Marple/Compstall Sunday fourths beat Charlesworth and Chisworth thirds at C/C’s panoramic venue. The home side made 148 all out, Lennon Saycell, 29, and Sam Gilham, 41. Ben Bailey led the way for Marple with a terrific 5 for 27, and Sophie Saunders a good 2 for 49. M/C were victorious by three wickets, Lewis Braddock, 50 (rno), Cameron Reid, 16, and Ben Bailey 20. The wickets were shared amongst six C/C bowlers.