Unfocussed Marple no Match for Resurgent Sale!
Sale 192 for 4 (31.5 overs) 20 points beat Marple 190 for 8 (50 overs) by six wickets
On a glorious late August afternoon, the contrast between these two mid-table teams in the Cheshire County League first division could hardly have been greater. Marple’s season has seriously fallen away since the heady days of April, May and early June, with just two wins recorded from the last eleven matches. By contrast, the visitors, Sale started the season slowly, but have stuck to their task, improved, and now sit above Marple in the league.
Groundsman Mike Hibbert had prepared a terrific pitch, if slightly on the slow side at the start of the game. It appeared to quicken up a little in the sunshine. The ground, now named in his honour, also looked superb. Returning Marple captain Andrew Hall elected to take first knock in what appeared to be ideal batting conditions. When four of the top six contribute just five runs between them in such a situation, teams generally face an uphill battle to compete in the game. James Crisall made 26, including five well timed boundaries, but he became frustrated at not getting enough of the early strike. He flashed at a ball, too close to cut, from the excellent Tyrone Laurence, and was easily caught behind by Bishop. Zac Phair looked in good order once more, his confidence high after his successive hundreds. However, he could only look on as the home middle order could barely lay a bat on the ball, and a collapse to 61 for 5 followed. Ramsay was run out by a brilliant direct hit by Walker, but it was a poor effort otherwise. The visiting bowlers, Lawrence’s pinpoint accuracy apart, were basically steady. A humiliating total collapse threatened.
Fortunately for a goodish crowd, Charlie Hodgson showed not just good technique, but, equally importantly, terrific temperament. Initially Sale were content to keep Phair off strike, but as he got established, Hodgson began to time the ball sweetly, and hit five fours. He also ran superbly with the athletic Phair, and although Marple always looked to be well short of a par score, at least they had saved a complete embarrassment. They added 79 attractive runs, and with Sale’s initially immaculate fielding coming under pressure, it was a case of what might have been for the top order players. Phair made a cultured 61 with 8 fours and one six before he was deceived in flight by Dodds and smartly stumped by Bishop at 140 for 7. Jack Grundy, 18 not out, then batted responsibly with Hodgson to add a further 34 in good time before the latter fell, skying a return catch to Layton for an excellent 51. He received a fine ovation on returning to the pavilion. For Sale, the slow medium left armer Lawrence did not bowl a bad ball, taking 3 for 11 from ten overs, with Dodds taking 2 for 32 and Layton 2 for 46.
With a below par total on the board, Marple needed early wickets. Instead they served up some juicy half volleys and wide deliveries. These were pounced on eagerly by the inform Jonny Davidson. Eight boundaries came from his rapier like blade, and he raced to 40 from just 27 balls faced. After just five overs, Hall was forced to turn to spin, but with premier twirler Joe Cash now out for the season injured, he tossed the ball to Mark Makin. Davidson’s eyes lit up, but he mistimed the first ball of Makin’s spell and was caught by Ramsay. Charlie Hodgson then bowled the dangerous Walker for 1, and Marple, after a pretty average start to say the least, had a foothold. When Laurence then holed out to Barrow off Hodgson for just 9 at 63 for 3, could Marple exert some pressure?
The answer was emphatically no, as Iftikhar smashed a brutal 34 from just 24 deliveries and with opener Dodds gradually establishing himself, the runs flowed with relative ease. Makin did bowl Iftikhar at 116 for 4, but Spells played responsibly in partnership with the increasingly dominant Dodds, and any hope Marple had was quickly snuffed out. Dodds ended on 76 not out with 13 fours, and Spells 15 not out, the fifth wicket pair in control. There were 19 overs left when the winning post was reached. It was not a day Marple’s bowlers will want to remember, but Makin had 2 for 33, and Hodgson 2 for 61, showing good character one more.
Marple body language was poor in the game, as though they were safe in the league, and just appeared to go through the motions. Next week sees a trip to Bramhall. This is usually a difficult venue for Marple, and with the Bramhall side still having a chance of promotion, they will be sure of a tough afternoon. A reaction to this performance will surely be demanded from the players, and that will be the important factor next Saturday 7th September with an 11.30am start.
It was a similarly tricky afternoon for the seconds at Macclesfield. Batting was tough at the start, as Marple struggled with the willow. It was left to Tommy Lloyd, 42, Ollie Bielecki, 22, and Tom Reeve, 16 not out, to see the vistors up to 159 all out in the 46th over. For Macc, Will Jennings, with 4 for 38, and Ben Farmer 2 for 30, proved a handful.
Batting conditions eased somewhat after the break, and although Marple battled hard in the field, the home side brought up a comfortable victory by 6 wickets with 10 overs remaining. Chris Beckley hit 49, and Ben Curwen saw his side home with a strongly hit 39 not out. Marple skipper Hirst tried eight bowlers, but found pressure and containment difficult to achieve.
The seconds remain in some peril, alongside several other clubs, in a very tight league. The game next week against bottom side Cheadle Hulme now assumes more than usual importance.