2008 Match Reports
Cranham (H) - 20 Apr
A 10-man scratch Cranham side were well beaten by Marle Hill at a cold and misty Notgrove yesterday. Winning the toss, Cranham elected to bat first and were soon in trouble having lost openers Charlie Overs and Matt Smith to make it 22-2.
A 100-run stand, however, between skipper Nathan Moore (45) and Steve Walden (41) helped Cranham towards a competitive total before the latter was bowled by jaffa. However, there proved to be little support from the tail and Cranham were shot out for a below-par 134 inside 33 overs.
In reply Marle Hill made light work of the chase and cruised home with Simon Smith and Stuart Brotherton the only casualties.
Cranham 134 ao (N. Moore 45 S. Walden 41)
Marle Hill 135-2 (A. Phillips 60*, S. Brotherton 25)
Marle Hill beat Cranham by 8 wickets.
Tewkesbury (H) - 13 Apr
Cancelled (weather)
2007 Match Reports
Moreton-in-Marsh (A) - 29 Jul
Cancelled (weather)
Woodpeckers (A) - 22 Jul
Cancelled (weather)
Stowell Park (H) - 15 Jul
Cancelled (weather)
Old Vigorians (H) - 08 Jul
...match report to follow...
Old Vigorians 219-5 (Bader 67, Gwyn 49, Hutchin 46, Sporson 25)
Marle Hill 216-7 (W. Spence 81, R. Phillips 71, R. Newhook 28)
Old Vigorians beat Marle Hill by 3 runs
St Neot Taverners (H) - 01 Jul
Cancelled (weather)
Tewkesbury (A) - 24 Jun
Cancelled (weather)
Arcadians (H) - 17 Jun
"Stuart Brotherton took over the captaincy with Smith on holiday, and lost the toss leaving Marle Hill to field first. Arcadians took a like to A.Williams bowling early on with the both openers not taking long to settle. A.Williams finally managed to get a break through before being taken off. Having rocketed to 58 for 1 off 12 overs, Blewitt and Chandu slowed down the run rate and took several wickets leaving the visitors on 73 for 3 at drinks. The middle overs saw a fourth wicket partnership of 57 runs of 17 overs. A.Williams came back on to finish off his 8 overs taking a further 3 for 10 off his last 2 overs. Arcadians finished on 165 for 7.
Following a lovely tea, Marle Hill started badly with Chandu being bowled by a lovely inswinger first ball. Andy and John started to rebuild with a partnership off 57 runs off 19 overs leaving Marle Hill in a good position. After drinks there was a middle madness with several quick wickets leaving Marle Hill 91 for 6. Opening bowlers Spence (16) and A.Williams (15) started to attack and try and win the game but got out to rather bad shots. N.Patel (9) and S.Williams (9 not out) tried to save the game, but ended up being 33 runs short.
With Tewkesbury away next Sunday, a better batting performance is required to avoid three wins on the bounce."
Arcadians 165-7 (A. Williams 4-?)
Marle Hill 132-?
Arcadians beat Marle Hill.
Match report courtesy of Marle Hill's ruddy-cheeked assassin, Andrew Williams.
Witcombe (A) - 10 Jun
"Marle Hill were only able to field 10 players due to Mike Blewitt pulling out on Sunday morning with a dodgy stomach (too much cider probably!!). The Witcombe ground was in very good condition, bearing in mind that over 600 runs had been scored on it the previous day (a Gloucester Civil Service player scoring 248 with his first knock of the session) therefore the regular opening bowlers of A.Williams and Spence kept it tight picking early onm on this batsman friendly wicket. Bowling straight through Witcombe were left on 49-3 off the first 16 overs, following some tight bowling. Jay continued the tight bowling, before being stuck down by the cricket ball. Jay was unfortunately hit in the eye by the ball as the batsmen drove the ball back straight. Jay was taken to hosiptal leaving Marle Hill with nine players, thanks to Phil Sidey for popping by and helping us out together with a substitute from Witcombe. Being a bowler down, and the openers bowled out Witcombe took advantage and constructed a 150 run partnership for the 5th wicket, R.Burford run out by the Witcombe substitute. By the end of the 40 overs Witcombe had scored 239 with N.Fuller 127 not out.
In reply Marle Hill needed a strong start, but lost Smith(4) early on. Despite making a quick start Marle Hill lost 2 further quick wickets, leaving us on 60-3. With Chandu coming to the wicket and Brotherton on form they made 96 for 3 off 20 overs, and were on target for the win. Brotherton went shortly after drinks, following by two others wickets. Marle Hill needed something special and Chandu answered the call, ended up 111 not out, the tail end batsmen hung around for a little while, but ultimatley Marle Hill ran out of wickets falling 50 runs short."
Witcombe 239-? (N.Fuller 127*) Marle Hill 189ao (Chandu 111*)
Witcombe beat Marle Hill.
Match report courtesy of Marle Hill's ruddy-cheeked assassin, Andrew Williams.
Apperley(A) - 03 Jun 2007
Marle Hill were unlucky not to seal the victory in a closely fought game. Despite notable contributions from the "Caribbean all-rounder" Jay Evans, a sick Bob Phillips and return to form from Stuart Brotherton, MHCC batting performance didn't manage to live up to its normal high standards as Apperley bowled with discipline throughout to keep Marle at 133 for 8.
However, the game was always in our sights as the bowlers dug in and worked hard to keep the wickets falling. The runs on the board and the fall of the wickets always kept something in the game for Apperley. As the game began the 20 over countdown Apperley were 47 for 1. With 13 over's left they were 60 for 1 and it was at this point that the wickets began to fall, starting when King was caught by Ian Close of Bluett's bowling. Apperley were 85 for 3 when the pick of the MHCC bowlers Niraj Patel and Jay Evans combined to take 5 wickets for just 19 runs over the course of 7 over's.
Apperley were left 112 for 9 with 3 overs left and despite adding 7 over the course of the 36 and 37th over failed to score in their last as the game petered out into a draw.
Match report courtesy of Marle Hills tallest seamer, Mike Bleutt.
Timed game
Marle Hill 133-5 from 37 (R. Phillips 37, J. Evans 34*, S. Brotherton 29, K. Emery 2-21)
Apperley 119-9 from 38 overs (R. Tattersill 45, C. King 24, N.Patel 4-30, J.Evans 2-11)
Marle Hill drew will Apperley.
Birdlip (A) - 27 May 2007
Cancelled (weather)
Cheltenham (A) - Cheltenham & Gloucester Cheltenham Challenge Cup - 24 May 2007
Marle Hill won the toss and made an excellent start through openers Graham Newhook and Alex Pockett. The pair racked up 50 for the first wicket before Pockett was run out for a very tidy 21. Newhook looked in superb touch with the bat with fluent strokes on either side of the wicket. His dismissal for 51 lead to collapse in the Marle Hill order that saw the visitors wrapped up for a not-nearly-enough-looking 109.
The Marle Hill attack had no answer to the classy Cheltenham bats who stroked their way past 109 with ease. Jay Evans took a consolation wicket when a miss-timed pull was caught by Simon Smith at mid-wicket who at one point looked like he was doing a Paul Alcock having been shoved by Paolo di Canio.
Marle Hill 109ao (G. Newhook 51, A. Pockett 21)
Cheltenham 110-1
Cheltenham beat Marle Hill by 9 wickets. Click here for match report.
Witcombe (A) - 20 May 2007
This game was moved to Notgrove at the last minute due to the Witcombe pitch suffering from the recent weather. It was a hard fought game with Marle Hill batting first and scrapping 159 off 36 over's, with Ryan Newhook top scoring with 55 and Will Spence adding a valuable 31 thanks in part to a defiant last wicket stand with Mike Bluett for at least 4 over's, keeping him on strike to add a valuable 20 runs before Bluett was out caught for 2.
Witcombe put on 60 on for the first 20 over's thanks to the disciplined lined of Evans, Bluett, Spence and Patel. by 30 overs they had scored about 90 leaving them 70ish to win and the wickets began to fall but they did manage to survive the full 40 but were left with 30 to get of the last over and i think (smithy left the score book at nats) they finished on 138 for 9 (not sure)
Marle Hill 159ao (R. Newhook 55, W. Spence 31, J. Evans 25)
Witcombe 138-9 from 40 overs (M. Fuller 50).
Marle Hill beat Witcombe 11 runs.
Many thanks to big Mike Bluett for the match report... move over Jonathan Agnew
Woodmancote (A) - Cheltenham & Gloucester Cheltenham Challenge Cup - 16 May 2007
Cancelled (weather)
Naunton (H) - 13 May 2007
Weekend was a complete washout
St Stephens (A) - 06 May 2007
On an absolute minefield Marle Hill racked up an over-par 186-6 thanks to a Stuart Brotherton half-century (67) with support from Chandu Patel (28) and Wayne Lockey (19).
In reply St Stephens came with 20 runs of the Marle Hill total but were thwarted by the spin of youngster Neeraj Patel who collected excellent figures of 8-1-30-4. The ever-dependable Will Spence and the ruddy-cheeked assassin Andrew Williams both collected two apiece
Marle Hill 186-6 from 40 overs (S. Brotherton 67, Chandu 28, A. Batchelor 2-32)
St Stephens 166-9 (P. Evans 33, P. Harris 32, N. Patel 4-30, W. Spence 2-19, A. Williams 2-21).
Marle Hill beat St Stephens 20 runs. Click here for match report.
Ullenwood (H) - 29 Apr 2007
Sorry. No match report
Marle Hill 203-8 from 40 overs (R. Phillips 69, W. Lockey 64, B O'Connor 3-22)
Ullenwood 141ao (M. Leach 60, R. Mckeurlan 43 3-9, G. Bartlett 3-27, J. Evans 2-17, D. Close 2-35, W. Spence 2-23).
Marle Hill beat Ullenwood by 62 runs.
Gloucester Civil Service (H) - 22 Apr 2007
Batting first, a strong Marle Hill side opened with the experimental partnership of Nathan Moore and Stuart Phillips. The pair made a solid start against the Service openers who offered little to hit. Both were sound in defence and their patient approach laid the foundations for a decent total. As the partnership neared 50 in the 17th over it was broken when the leg spinner was introduced enticing Phillips into the big hit which his missed and was duly stumped. The only blemish on his innings.
Seasoned NATS veteran Will Spence joined Moore at the creased and the pair looked to inject some momentum. The twos started to come easily helped, it must be said, by some lacklustre fielding. Spence played some delicate dabs behind square which raced away on the hard outfield whilst Moore began to open his shoulders and find the boundary regularly.
Ironically it was a full-toss which did for Moore as he looked to flick it square only to guide it straight to square leg. Batting at four Ryan Newhook joined Spence at the crease and immediately laid into the Service bowlers. Spence fell shortly after reaching his half century , missing a straight one (52). Marle Hill stalwart Bob Phillips joined Newhook and got his inning off in characteristic fashion by crashing his very first ball into the sight screen for six. Newhook and Phillips showed no mercy on the Service bowling and lead Marle Hill to a formidable 244 from their allocated 40 overs.
The Service reply got off the worst possible start with Finnikin and Williams ripping out the top order to leave them on 28-5. The combination of Finnikin's pace, who really looks to have gained a yard this year, and Williams Hoggard-like in-duckers left the Service batsmen high and dry. A stunning left-handed catch from Bob Phillips at first slip off Williams was one that will live in the memory for a long time.
The Service inning was kept alive by Skipper Wayman who cracked 75 to help take Service from 28-5 to 164-9. However, he was offered little support from the tail in terms of attacking ability. A somewhat ill-tempered passage of play ultimately lead to Waymans downfall as he was out-thought (and probably out-talked) by Finnikin who had him caught in the covers by a well-executed slower ball (Bob Phillips taking another good catch).
Service played out the last few overs as if for a draw with the target out of reach. Another good performance with the bat and ball from Marle Hill and a disappointing display from Service both on and off the field who must learn to take the rough with the smooth.
Marle Hill 244-3 from 40 overs (R. Newhook 74*, N. Moore 66, W. Spence 52)
Gloucester Civil Service 164-9 (C. Wayman 75, T. Finnikin 3-9, A. Williams 3-21).
Marle Hill beat Gloucester Civil Service by 80 runs
Tewkesbury (H) - 15 Apr 2007
Marle Hill opened their 2007 season at their adopted home of Notgrove with a friendly fixture against Tewkesbury. Marle Hill were only able to field nine after the Williams brothers car was stoved into by some idiot on the Bourton road just half a mile from the ground. Thankfully both were uninjured (which is more than can be said for Willies car - ouch!)
Tewkesbury won the toss and chose to bat first on what looked like a belter of track for mid April (recognition must go to groundsmen Will Spence for his excellent work). Tewkesbury made a somewhat scratchy start and struggled with the pace of opener Tom Finnikin and the height and bounce of partner Mike Bluett.
It wasn't long before Finnikin claimed his first wicket with a clever slower ball which forced the batsmen to check his drive only for the ball to loop into Finnikins greedy hands. The niggling line of Will Spence claimed the second Tewkesbury wicket with another caught and bowled.
Tewkesbury did begin to make some headway but were pegged back by some superb bowling from Ryan Newhook and an excellent spell of 2-35 from Stuart Phillips who looks to be a much improved bowler. Tewkesbury eventually closed on a modest 163-7 from their 40 overs with Finnikin the pick of the bowlers with a miserly 2-10.
After a quality tea (consisting of the big three: pork pie, chocolate cornflake cake and homemade flapjack) Marle Hill set about the Tewkesbury total with openers Andrew Phillips and Ryan Newhook. Both looked in fine form and were slapping the ball to all parts reaching 60 without loss until Newhook was brilliantly stumped down the leg side by the Tewkesbury keeper.
Phillips would have reached his century if it wasnt for the evil Will Spence who cracked two fours out of the 23 available to win (Phillips needing 20).
An excellent start to the season for Marle Hill who will no doubt benefit form using Notgrove at their home this year.
Tewkesbury 163-7 from 40 overs (Tom Finnikin 2-10, Stuart Phillips 2-35)
Marle Hill 164-2 (A. Phillips 97 not out, Ryan Newhook 30).
Marle Hill beat Tewkesbury by 8 wickets
