First Team
Efficient Cheadle Prevail – Cheadle 107 for 4 (26 overs) 20 points beat Marple 106 all out (42.4 overs) 2 points by six wickets
A solid, no frills, all round performance at Kingsway by Cheadle last Saturday saw the home team comfortably defeat a Marple side now firmly in a mid-season slump.
Marple skipper Andrew Hall elected to bat first as usual, but the pitch provided assistance to bowlers of all types. If he could have had a crystal ball that told him that a score of around 150 to 160 would be very competitive, maybe his batters would have approached the task in a different manner. Hindsight is a wonderful thing of course, but despite grafting to 88 for 4, a shocking collapse by the lower order saw just a further 18 runs added for the final six wickets. The Cheadle bowling was accurate throughout, with very little loose stuff served up.
Marple’s tinkering with the batting order has not yet born fruit, and both openers, Fitzgerald and Makin were soon back in the shed at 12 for 2. Connor Ramsay played the best innings for Marple, and it needed a terrific low catch by Gallagher at short mid wicket to remove him for a good looking 31. Jacob Noakes, with a battling 28, and Zac Phair with 10, were the only other players able to reach double figures, and the middle and lower order all struggled to get the ball off the square. For Cheadle, steady left arm seamer Broadhurst had 3 for 11, leg spinner Clift, 3 for 41, and Paddy Keogh 2 for 17. Skipper Will Holmes was miserly with 1 for 6 from 6 overs.
Despite having such a modest target to defend, Marple responded well in the field. Luck was not on their side though, as both Rob Kingham and Jack Grundy repeatedly defeated the outside edge of both Dooler and Tyson, the Cheadle openers. The former also survived a very confident lbw shout from Kingham. Not without alarms, 45 crucial runs were posted for the first wicket.
Joe Cash was called into action maybe slightly before he anticipated, and his spell was the proverbial “curate’s egg.” When he got it right, he was virtually unplayable on the surface, but conversely, offered up a few “freebies” which were gleefully pounced on. He removed both openers for 24 apiece, to leave two fresh batters at the crease, the score on 65 for 2. Positive strokeplay from Yaksender, 20, Basu, 10 not out and Fisher 13 not out, put paid to any hopes Marple might have had of an unlikely victory though. Charlie Hodgson, once more, showed what a talent he is, beating the outside edge a number of times, and picking up the wicket of Yaksender, well held at long on by Grundy from a skier. He had 1 for 15 from 4 overs, and Cash 3 for 28 from 8.
This was game where Marple showed glimpses of their ability, both with the bat and in the field. However, Cheadle’s consistency won the day. They did not attempt anything special, but bowled accurately and waited for mistakes. Trying to defend a low total, Marple went searching for wickets, but they did not come early enough.
They are at home at the MHCG next Saturday, 27th July with a game against Romiley, 12.00 noon start.
Second Team
A high scoring game at Bowden Lane saw Alderley Edge seconds defeat Marple seconds, also by six wickets. Marple totalled 222 for 6, largely due to a terrific 110 not out by James Crisall, and a classy 73 from Matt Barrow. They added 147 quality runs for the second wicket.
In reply, Edge batters Andy Kennedy, 33, and former Cheshire opener Alan Day, 57, added 88 to set a solid foundation. Jonathan Steele also hit 57, with solid support from Tejas Rao, 19, Callum Wilson 27, and Ashray Bhamidipati a fluent 30 not out. The Marple attack was not able to exert its usual control, and the visitors had almost five overs remaining at the end. Skipper Hirst could not stop the flow of boundaries, and neither could he prevent the sharp singles from being taken. A highlight was though, the brilliant run out of Steele by Tom Reeve with just one stump to aim at.
Third Team
Marple’s Third team cemented their place at the top of the table with a comfortable home win over Lindow. The away side chose to bat first having made over 300 the week before, but Marple’s strong attack soon reduced them to 21 for 4, a slight recovery including a fifth wicket partnership of 50 ensured Lindow passed 100, but they lost 4 wickets on 103 and eventually finished all out on 125.
Greg Marsland led the way for Marple with 4 for 21 (and would have been a 5for, but for his overstretched hamstring resulting in another wicket ruled out off a no ball). Able support was provided by all four other bowlers, with Tom Lloyd (3 for 7) and Andy Massey (2 for 19) polishing off the tail.
In reply Marple never looked in trouble. The inform Lewis Braddock made 57, and 16 year old Ben Cunniffe, an eye catching 29, as Marple knocked off the runs for loss of 5 wickets.
New Sixth team
History was made as Marple fielded a 4th team on a Saturday – and what a great game!
With numerous senior and junior players pushing for place it was great to be able to arrange a game for them, with Macclesfield proving the opponents as Marple utilised the lovely setting of Birch Vale as their home ground.
Macclesfield made 157, as Marple shared the overs amongst eight bowlers. ‘All rounder’ Chris Lloyd picked up 3 for 39, while Ned Hatley, Max Powell and Finn Powell, all from the Club’s under 13 team, all picked up a wicket each from their four overs.
In reply senior Dan Davies made a solid 25. With the game looking lost, the last wicket pair of captain Rich Hatley (65) and Chris Lloyd ( a swashbuckling 10 and a first ever six), managed to take the game to the last ball, which resulted in four byes, and meaning the game was tied! A very fitting result to a game played in a lovely spirit, cricket was certainly the winner.
Fourth Team
A youthful Fourth team travelled to Bramhall in a 25 over friendly, after their league game was rearranged. Marple made 133 with the ‘Guardian’ of the side Matt Leech top-scoring and reitiring having made his half-century.
In reply Bramhall finished on 96 for 9, with the wickets shared around the nine bowlers used, including a brace each for 13 year olds Tommy Sergeant and Sam Cunniffe.
Fifth Team
The fifth team lost an enjoyable close game at home to Dove Holes. The away side posted 169 for 9 off their 35 overs. With young Liam Tanker the pick of the bowlers and taking 4 for 23. Fellow youngsters Ben Bailey (2 for 28) and Tom Bradbury (2 for 25) supported him well.
In reply Marple ended up 10 short. Evan Powell (19), Joe Bradley (18) and Joel Hampson (15) made useful contributions. WhileBen Bailey batted superbly to make 38 and nearly saw the team home batting with his Dad (Dave Bailey, 23no) but his wicket in the penultimate over won it for the away side.
Another promising performance by many Marple teenagers, the future looks bright!