Inconsistent Marple Frustrate!
Toft 121 for 5 (30.4 overs) 20 points beat Marple 119 all out (43 overs) 3 points by five wickets.
At a superb looking Michael Hibbert Cricket Ground, Marple lost to a Toft side that was nowhere tested enough in earning their victory.
Marple were inserted once more, and again the collective mindset was probably thinking of a total in excess of 200. For once, with the wicket pitched in the centre of the square, the whole of the outfield was used, with long boundaries, especially width wise. This, and the fact that the wicket was certainly not the proverbial “shirt front” due to a damp week, made free scoring difficult. The middle and lower order were not able to bale out the side this game, and no batter really set themselves to bat through the innings, despite Reilly battling over an hour for his 11. Ironically, the two players that swapped positions in the order, Mark Makin, 16, and Evan Turner, an attractive 30, both looked happier than in recent weeks. Only Adam Carter, with 13 and Joe Bradley, 10, were able to reach double figures from the lower order. A good number of wides helped Marple above the 100 mark.
This was frustrating, as James Hodgson apart, with 4 for 42, the Toft attack was very variable. There were enough runs on offer without taking undue risks, and once again, several rash strokes contributed to the below par total. Calvin, with 3 for 22, and Dunkerley, 2 for 26, were steady but not unplayable by any means.
Well though Grundy and Reilly bowled at the start of the reply, Connor Hastings 29, showed the sort of tight defence and application necessary on this surface. With good support from Craig, 16, and Fernando 24, he broke the back of the reply. Even though he was bowled by Charlie Hodgson at 83 for 3, Liam Clorley with 16 saw that there were no more real alarms. Marple bowled tidily throughout, and must have wondered what might have been had they managed to post around 175 to180, which was probably around a par score. Makin, in better rhythm now, had 3 for 43, and Hodgson 1 for 30. Grundy was tight but wicketless, and Reilly had 1 for 19.
What a difference a day makes though! Marple edged out Premier League side Alderley Edge on Sunday in the first round of the Cheshire Cup st the MHCG.
The visitors got a fast start, and raced to 97 for 1. However, Marple’s spin trio did an excellent job. Despite the powerful Paddy Ashling, 70, Reddy 27, and Usher 27, threatening a huge total, Eliot Young picked up two quick wickets. The lower order was kept on a tighter rein, with Chris Sanders, 42, and Simon Normanton 21, helping the score up to 227 all out with more than an over remaining. Niall Greenlees, 4 for 47, Eliot Young, 3 for 27, and Charlie Hodgson 2 for 39, did a fine job for Marple. Dylan Hodgson also recovered from a tricky start to bowl his last four overs for just twelve runs.
Edge were in shock though, as first Jack Feilen and then Max Fitzgerald launched a fierce attack on their bowlers. The weather was closing in, and the opening duo added 94 in just 12 overs including 18 boundaries. Although Feilen fell for 54 and Fitz for 42, both to the experienced Danny Fesmer, they had put Marple way ahead of the required rate. When rain finally brought proceedings to a halt at 118 for 3, Marple were ahead of the game, and go into round two.
Sometimes a good cup run can breed confidence, and Marple will hope to recover good league form when they make the long trip to Wirral outfit Maritime next Saturday, 12.00 start.
This venue proved a happy hunting ground for James Hirst’s second eleven, as they fought hard to defeat Maritime seconds by five wickets on a tricky surface. Maritime struggled to 118 all out, Rehman 21, and skipper Samarakoon 27. For Marple it was Tom Reeve 3 for 35, Hirst 4 for 44 and Greenlees 3 for 21 who did the damage. It was a gritty response from the visitors. Matt Barrow, 21, Eddie Clews 43, and James Crisall 15 not out, top scored, but all the players showed fine application. Senthilvannan was very tricky with 2 for 12 from thirteen overs.
Win number seven on the trot for the seconds, and they remain top of their league.
Marple/Compstall thirds had an easy win against Mobberley thirds. The home side 102 all out, Wally Blackburn 32, with Liam Tanker 3 for 18, Tom Lloyd 3 for 21 and Sam Cuniffe 2 for 12. For a change, it wasn’t Lewis Braddock’s day as Rich Hatley 37 not out, and Sean Reilly 54 not out, eased M/C home.
M/C fourths rolled Heaton Mersey Village seconds for just 75 at Compstall’s ground. Charlie Crithlow top-scored with 33. For M/C Chris Lloyd led the way with 4 for 22, Tommy Seargeant 2 for 14, Ned Hatley 2 for 11, Josh Hurren 1 for 3 and Sophie Sanders 1 for 15. M/C were in a hurry, knocking off the runs in just 11 overs! Tom Swarbrick 44 not out, was helped by veteran Craig Young 21, in an opening stand of 61. A sixth wicket win soon followed, despite a couple of quick wickets for Frankie Devonish.
On Sunday, both Marple/Compstall 5ths and 6ths had fine wins in very tight games.
M/C fifth defeated Stockport Georgians thirds at Compstall’s ground by just one run! M/C posted 157 for 3, George Bailey 68 not out, Ed Skelton 34, and Sean Reilly 28 not out. Georgians nearly made it, chiefly through James Burke’s 78 not out, and Arthur Wolstenholmes’ 23 not out, but fell just agonisingly short. Ed Skelton completed a fine game with 3 for 14.
A very close game at Toft saw the sixths win by just one wicket. Toft fifths 104 all out, Joe Webb 22, and Trevor Holt 22. For M/C the wickets were shared between six bowlers. A nerve jangling finish saw M/C just Edge home in another game where run scoring was tricky. James Wharford 24, Mike Powell 15, whilst Adam Button 4 not out and stand-in skipper Will Darby 2 not out, calmly saw the side home.
Mark Brook