Hodgson to the Fore as Marple Back Up!
Marple 179 all out (49.3 overs) 20 points beat Macclesfield 154 all out (45.5 overs) 6 points by 25 runs.
Appearances can be deceptive! On another glorious late May afternoon, Macclesfield’s Victoria Road looked in superb shape. However, despite this, the pitch was distinctly green in colour, and not much different from the surrounding square. Having been inserted, Marple were probably thinking that a total well in excess of 200 was needed. The pitch had generous carry for seamers, Brad Porter and Finn Nash. It was certainly no batting paradise.
Jack Feilen was soon bowled by a good one from left armer Nash. Fitzgerald showed good intent at three, and Evan Turner looked solid in defence. With the visiting mindset probably still eyeing up a high total, Marple were guilty of gifting the home side some soft wickets from the top order. Turner, 9, the inform Reilly, 2, and Fitzgerald, 26, all fell to mistimed strokes, although Reilly was undone by a surprisingly awkward bouncer, delivered second ball by Leo Burns.
At 49 for 4, Marple were in trouble once more. Step forward again Eliot Young. In partnership with a determined Mark Makin he steadied the ship, and the fifth wicket added 37 careful runs. The pitch also offered grip and turn for the spinners, and whilst veteran John Birchall is not a twirler, his nagging slow medium paced drifters made free-scoring tough. He bowled his ten overs for just eight runs and the wicket of Fitzgerald.
Surprisingly, skipper Massey preferred himself and Sam Hughes before former Derbyshire offer Alex Thomson. Massey, another off spinner, is not to be taken lightly though, and he deceived a patient Makin with a well disguised quicker ball to bowl him for 20 at 89 for 5.
A slightly frenetic Mike Schofield, 9, added 20 with Young, and at 109 for 6 Marple’s innings was in danger of folding. There is depth and steel though this season, and Charlie Hodgson, 19, added another 30 with the immovable Young. Thomson was eventually introduced and, seemingly, Young did not face mainly balls from him. After Hodsgon was stumped by Fielding off Thomson, Adam Carter, 10, and Jack Grundy, 19, played brightly, helping to push the total to a competitive 179. It was the admirable Young though, who had shored up things. Refusing to play risky strokes, he was finally caught at backward point by Evans off Thomson for 39, being at the crease for over thirty overs.
The Macc bowling was always testing. Thomson had 3 for 32, Massey 2 for 35, with wickets also for Porter, Nash, Birchall and Burns. Grundy was run out attempting to retain the strike in the final over.
Grundy’s breezy knock must have fired him up, as he produced a perfectly pitched away swinger to catch Massey’s edge from the first ball of the reply. From this excellent start, Marple produced their best performance of the season in the field. The home batters were kept on the leash at all times, although Burns did play some pleasant strokes in his 27. Thomson, 19, and Porter, a gritty 31, dug in for a period, but with Marple’s outfielding also up a notch or two, they were never able to get their side into the ascendancy. Legspinner Charlie Hodgson bowled a terrific spell, finding the right pace for the conditions, and bowling straight. The ball which deceived Thomson to bowl him was a beauty, and from 66 for 5, runs were hard to come by.
Mark Makin also settled into a good spell in support of Hodgson and the home side slumped to 89 for 8. Sides in division one have batting ability all the way down the order though, and Nash joined Porter. They determinedly added 30 runs before Makin caught Porter, off the returning Reilly. Sam Hughes, at number eleven, stuck in with Nash to put some doubts into Marple minds. The tenth wicket stand of 35 was the highest of the innings, and Nash, particularly, did not look like a tailender. Ultimately, though, the pressure told, and Reilly returned the compliment for Makin pouching Nash for 31 from a skier.
Relief for Marple, and a very well-deserved victory against a solid Macclesfield side. Hodgson led the way with 4 for 21. All the bowlers did a good job though with Grundy, certainly not flattered, 2 for 38, Reilly 2 for 35 and Makin 2 for 28. Young and Greenlees were wicketless, but bowled ten overs for just 29 between them.
Charlie leads the team off at Macclesfield.
Next week Marple are at home to Toft, 12.00 noon start.
Marple seconds are currently unstoppable. A sixth win on the bounce saw them comfortably defeat near neighbours Hyde by 81 runs at Bowden Lane, and remain top of their league. Consistent batting saw a total of 230 for 7 posted by the home team. Matt Barrow, 47, Will Darby, 41, Eddie Clews, 44, George Bailey, 19, and Ed Skelton a rapid 17. Numbers eight and nine in the order, Dylan Hodgson, a classy 34 not out and Joe Bradley 12 not out took the total out of sight for Hyde. Kian Vernon was Hyde’s most successful bowler with 3 for 59.
Dylan was also superb with ball in hand, removing both openers. Ben Bailey picked up Henry Carne, and Hyde were in the mire at 31 for 3. Although Meisura, 45 and Jamie Richardson 24, showed resistance, it was only a matter of time for Marple. 149 all out was the final score. Dylan Hodgson had 3 for 29, Hirst 2 for 37, George Bailey 2 for 40, Skelton 2 for 22 and Ben Bailey 1 for 14 were all excellent.
Marple/Compstall thirds and fourths were both defeated on Saturday. An excellent game at Holmes Chapel saw the home team seconds defeat M/C thirds by four wickets. M/C 190, Ben Bradley, 36, Rich Hatley, 28, Sammy Grover, 26, Andy Massey, 23 and Tom Lloyd 22. Sean Logan and Harry Hunter had three wickets apiece for Chapel, but Jimmy Reilly had 4 for 38 to halt the progress of the top order.
Neil Mitchell, 68 was well supported by Matt Hunter, 38, in a good reply from the home side. Tom Bradbury had 3 for 53, and Tom Lloyd 2 for 45 as M/C fought hard in the field.
M/C fourths were defeated by 46 runs against Offerton seconds at Compstall’s ground. Offerton hit up 155, Kharoti top-scoring with 35. Josh Hurren was terrific for M/C with 4 for 20, with Ned Hatley 3 for 27, and Luke Leighton 2 for 40.
The reply was hard going for M/C. Experienced opener Craig Young showed his class once more with 45. Only Harry Rose, with 14 was able to reach double figures in support. Khalifa, 4 for 23, Dar, 3 for 34, Eddie Halford 2 for 16, and Henry Gill 1 for 23 caused problems throughout.
Marple under 19’s continued their undefeated run in the Derbyshire and Cheshire competition. This time it was Dinting U 19’s who were the victims. Marple 150 for 3, and Dinting 76 all out.
Mark Brook